AUGUSTA, GEORGIA | Perhaps the most important number regarding this Masters performance for Tiger Woods wasn’t his score – he finished last among players who made the cut at 16-over-par 304 – but the fact he finished 72 holes.
It was only the third time in two years that Woods has been able to go the distance in an official event. Though his weekend scores of 82-77 were disappointing, his presence on the weekend meant he had made his 24th consecutive cut in the Masters, setting a tournament record.
With the PGA Championship at Valhalla four weeks away, Woods indicated he intends to play, though he struggled physically at times, particularly on Saturday after playing 23 wind-blown holes one day earlier.
“It was a good week. It was a good week all around,” said Woods, who played his 100th Masters round Sunday with amateur Neal Shipley. “I think that coming in here, not having played a full tournament in a very long time, it was a good fight on Thursday and Friday. Unfortunately, [Saturday] it didn't quite turn out the way I wanted it to.”
It was just the third time in Woods’ career that he has finished last in the field after making the cut. It also happened at the 2015 Memorial Tournament and the 2020 Genesis Invitational.
“It doesn't take much to get out of position here. Unfortunately, I got out of position a lot yesterday and a couple times today.”
Tiger Woods
Woods drove the ball fairly well, hitting 68 percent of his fairways, but he hit just 31 of 72 greens in regulation. A solid week putting couldn’t offset the number of mistakes he made.
The most damaging stroke on Sunday was his tee shot on the par-4 fifth hole that sailed well right of the fairway and came to rest in an unplayable lie. With no good option for a drop, Woods re-teed and wound up making a triple bogey.
“It doesn't take much to get out of position here,” Woods said. “Unfortunately, I got out of position a lot yesterday and a couple times today.”
During his pre-round warmup session Sunday morning, Woods had his 15-year-old son, Charlie, watching as he appeared to offer some swing tips.
With one month before what is expected to be his next start, Woods said he will continue working to improve his conditioning.
“Just keep lifting, keep the motor going, keep the body moving, keep getting stronger, keep progressing,” Woods said of his preparations. “Hopefully, the practice sessions will keep getting longer.”
Woods also offered a bit of insight into the PGA Tour’s ongoing negotiations with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund regarding a possible agreement to resolve the differences between the two sides. Along with player directors from the PGA Tour Policy Board and others, Woods met with PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan in the Bahamas last month. Woods also reportedly played golf with Al-Rumayyan.
“I don't know if we're closer, but certainly we're headed in the right direction,” Woods said. “That was a very positive meeting, and I think both sides came away from the meeting feeling positive.”
Ron Green Jr.