Australian great Craig Parry says he’s blown away by the prospect of Tiger Woods playing at this week’s Masters Tournament, as speculation mounts the 15-time major champion will make his return to competitive golf.
Woods hasn’t played an official tournament since the car crash that nearly claimed his life last February.
Thousands of fans packed Augusta National this morning to watch the 46-year-old play a practice round alongside Justin Thomas and 1992 champion Fred Couples.
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This year marks the 25th anniversary of Woods’ historic victory in 1997, the first of five times he’s donned the green jacket.
Woods said in a tweet earlier this week that “it will be a game-time decision on whether I compete.”
The only time he’s played publicly since his accident was in December, when he partnered son Charlie in the PNC Championship, an unofficial tournament where he was allowed to use a cart.
That was also played on a relatively flat course, far easier on the legs than Augusta National.
“After he had his accident I thought there was no way in the world he’d be coming back to play tournament golf, let alone playing around Augusta,” Parry told Wide World of Sports.
“Augusta is really hilly as a golf course, you need to be physically fit to play there, not to mention mentally tough, which has never been a problem for Tiger.
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“If he does play, he’s going to be out there to win, that’s just what he’s like.”
Parry explained that Augusta is notable for the fact there’s so many uneven lies on the fairways, something that would have been expected to cause Woods difficulties given the extent of his leg injuries.
“The only time you get a flat lie is on the practice fairway! Seriously, that’s the truth about Augusta, there’s slopes everywhere,” Parry said.
“Every fairway it’s either uphill, downhill, sidehill, that’s what makes it extremely difficult to hit the shots.
“It’s why Augusta is unique amongst all the courses on tour.”
Australian golf commentator Luke Elvy tweeted that Woods’ practice round was “like the Beatles” with crowds five-deep jostling for a glimpse of the former world No.1.
Woods is no stranger to playing with pain, having won the 2008 US Open with stress fractures in his leg and a torn ACL.
“It’s a major championship. It’s Augusta,” Brooks Koepka said.
“Doesn’t matter how much pain you’re in, you figure out a way. He’ll figure out a way. If anybody can do it, he can.”
Woods is yet to play a full 18 holes at Augusta, restricting himself to nine holes per day as he assesses his fitness.
While he is not yet a confirmed starter in the 86th Masters, his mere presence at a practice round has overshadowed everything else that might happen this week, short of Jack Nicklaus making a surprise return at the age of 82.
“I am amazed. It is a true testament to his work ethic because we all know what he does on the golf course, how hard he works, and the stories and the legend,” three-time PGA Tour winner Max Homa said.
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