There aren’t many sports personalities who have transcended their profession in the way that Tiger Woods has in golf. Ever since he burst onto the scene in the late 1990s and began scooping up all the biggest titles golf has to offer, Woods has been one of the most famous and enigmatic sports figures in the world.
It’s for that reason that speculation surrounding his potential return to the Masters this year has sparked so much interest and excitement. Woods was spotted playing a practice round at Augusta National with fellow professional and close friend Justin Thomas, and that has led many to believe that Woods is considering taking part in the first major championship of 2022. While he wouldn’t be much fancied in the Masters betting, it would still be a wonderful story to see him return.
Few players boast a special relationship with one tournament in the way that Woods does with the Masters. He is a five-time winner of the coveted green jacket, and each of those five victories represent a uniquely special moment in Woods’ career.
It all started in 1997, when Woods became the youngest winner of the Masters in the history of the competition. It was the moment when everyone realised this was a special talent, and the fact that Woods finished 12 shots clear of second-place Tom Kite demonstrated just how dominant he had been over the course of the four rounds.
Woods had to wait four years for his next Masters triumph, but just like London buses, two came along at once. The American had already completed a sensational career grand slam by the time he won both the 2001 and 2002 editions of the Masters, getting the better of David Duval and Retief Goosen respectively.
A fourth Masters title came in 2005, as Woods triumphed in a playoff against Chris DiMarco to rubber stamp his credentials as one of the greatest golfers of all time. Few had been able to master Augusta National in the way that Woods did, and it’s no surprise that his success saw him become a global superstar.
By the time the 2019 Masters came around, it had been 11 years since Woods won a major, and it’s fair to say that few were backing him in the golf betting. However, decked out in his famous red shirt on Masters Sunday, Woods produced a stunning final round to roll back to years and win his fifth title at Augusta.
It was a sensational achievement that brought the sporting world to a standstill. This great champion who many felt was a figure of the past had suddenly given a stark reminder of his talents.
“To have my kids there, it’s come full circle,” Woods reflected. “My dad was here in 1997 and now I’m the dad with two kids there. It will be up there with one of the hardest I’ve had to win because of what has transpired in the last couple of years.”
The obstacles Woods referred to were persistent back injuries, as well as the forensic focus on his personal life from elements of the media. But in pure golfing terms, this was a moment to savour for the 15-time champion.
Injuries suffered from a car accident in early 2021 have kept Woods out of action for the last year, but you can forgive golf fans for getting a little bit carried away at the though of him returning to the Masters next weekend. Who’s to say he couldn’t produce yet another magical moment over the 18 holes at Augusta.
