He was walking on the beautifully trimmed green carpet again.
In his hand one of the sticks, a traditional cap on his head, next to his caddy Joe LaCava. And around him a crowd of thousands of fans who came just for him.
“As soon as he left the clubhouse, there was an atmosphere outside that you had never seen before. Everyone was crammed into the hole. And it’s only Monday, “said golfer Nick Faldo.
Fans stood around the field in up to ten rows. Dads held their children on their shoulders, only to have a chance to see their god.
Tiger Woods and a crowd of fans during training in Augusta.
Sure, a picture similar to Tiger Woods in the famous Augusta somehow belongs. But something like this happened before the start of the tournament this year! Woods came to a giant crowd of fans to support the training rounds.
A quarter of a century after winning his first green jacket, he still has the biggest impact on the golf fan base. Even though this year it’s a bit more than just the Tiger craze.
He played with close friend Justin Thomas and veteran Fred Couples. They walked nine holes together, and every time Woods fired, there was a loud roar from the crowd.
“He looked like the Tiger we knew before the terrible accident. He had the same swing, speed. We would all like him to play here, “said another golfer Billy Horschel.
Even the 15-time major winner could see how much he enjoyed it.
He smiled the whole time, looking determined, excited.
“I want to continue training and training in Augusta. If I play, it will be decided within a week, “he said.
It is still uncertain whether the American golfer will appear in the tournament.
He hasn’t played a professional tournament since his crazy accident, in which he just escaped death a year ago and was in danger of losing his right leg.
So far, he has only appeared at a show race in December with his son, and he himself talked about the fact that professional golf at the level he played at it would never play again.
“It is so. I have already come to terms with the fact that I will not play golf as before. Sometimes I show up at a tournament during the year, but that will be all, “he said. “I’ll just choose the events I look at.”
In recent weeks and months, however, he has returned.
He worked in the gym again, firing like wild again. At least in the way his now rather weak body would allow him. Woods is still visibly limping, having had so many back surgeries that the fingers of one hand are not enough for them.
That is why his next return among the best golfers is so watched. And for most fans, too. Everyone wants him to play again.
Tiger Woods during training in Augusta.
Previously, Woods was only interested in victory.
The question is whether he will want to go to the tee on Thursday, even with the feeling that he cannot win this time.
He has to reconstruct in his head that just putting a golf ball on the grass in Augusta again can be a win for him.
He should confirm his start at the press conference.
Then Tiger will be hunting again.
