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AUGUSTA, GEORGIA | Tiger Woods’ absence from the Masters last week was noticeable but he still factored into the discussion at Augusta National.
Defending champion Dustin Johnson posted a message on social media noting Woods’ absence from the Champions Dinner on Tuesday night while Justin Thomas and Rory McIlroy gave first-person updates of their recent visits with Woods, who is recovering from serious leg injuries sustained in a February auto accident.
Though no one offered details about Woods’ recovery or offered insight into when he might be able to return to golf, both Thomas and McIlroy pulled back the curtain on how their friend is doing.
McIlroy said he spent a couple of hours with Woods in late March at his South Florida home.
“I think myself, JT, Rickie (Fowler), DJ (Dustin Johnson), Brooks (Koepka), all those guys down there, we all have a responsibility to try to keep his spirits up and keep him going and try to get him back out here.”
RORY McILROY
“It was good to see him,” McIlroy said. “It was good to see him in decent spirits and actually not as … when you hear of these things and you look at the car and you see the crash, it’s like, you think he’s going to be in a hospital bed for six months. But he was actually doing better than that.
“A few of us that live down in South Florida went to see him. I’m sure he appreciates that. Everyone would love to see him back out here again. I think myself, JT, Rickie (Fowler), DJ (Dustin Johnson), Brooks (Koepka), all those guys down there, we all have a responsibility to try to keep his spirits up and keep him going and try to get him back out here.”
Thomas missed playing practice rounds with Woods, who was part of a regular pre-Masters game with him and Fred Couples. Thomas said he’s made multiple visits to watch basketball with Woods and check up on his friend.
“I remember when I was out a month and a half for my wrist, I felt so down because I had never been out because of an injury, and I remember the people that reached out to me and checked on me, see how I was doing,” Thomas said. “I didn’t need a call every single day, but, ‘Hey, how is it going, want to see how you’re feeling.’ It meant a lot because it’s easy to get down on yourself when you’re out for a little bit.
“That’s just what I want to do for him, is just be like, ‘Dude, I’ll do anything you want. If you need me to help out with your kids, I can do that. If you want me to bring you ... if you’re craving McDonald’s and you want me to bring it over, dude, I don’t care, I’m here for you and I’ll help out however I can.’
“But he’s been good. It’s been good just to go hang out with him.”
Last week, Los Angeles law enforcement officials released details of Woods’ accident, citing excessive speed as the cause. Investigators said Woods was traveling in excess of 80 mph in a 45-mph zone when the accident happened.
Ron Green Jr.