Tiger Woods made just his second start of the season at the Masters last week, but a tough weekend for the 15-time major champion saw him finish at 16-over-par for the event
Woods finished last at an event in which he made the cut for just the third time in his near-30-year pro career at The 2024 Masters – but looking at the result here is too short-sighted…
Tiger Woods ended the 2024 Masters in last place – or 60th, if you’d prefer – on 16-over after rounds of 73, 72, 82, and 77 at Augusta National Golf Club this week. 304 was his highest total score as a pro and the third round featured his worst Major championship tally over 18 holes.
For just the third time in a professional career spanning almost 30 years, Woods ended a tournament in which he made the cut at the bottom of the pile.
Thanks to Sports Illustrated’s Bob Harig, we know the other two to be The 2015 Memorial “where he shot a third-round 85” and the Genesis Invitational in 2020 where Woods shot a final-round 77 in his last event before Covid.
But to look at the 15-time Major champion’s score alone and say he is finished, that he will never win a competitive four-round event ever again, or that he cannot at least contend – would be foolish.
The man himself, in his post-tournament press conference, was equally optimistic. He said: “It was a good week. It was a good week all around. 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, yesterday, it didn’t quite turn out the way I wanted it to.”
Nevertheless, one of the most talented golfers ever to have graced the game has just shown that – while the path may not be totally straightforward given the limitations of his body – the skill of a born performer and heart of a lion (or Tiger) remains.
Plus, if we’re discussing why this week was actually a success, the sheer consistency and density of the galleries at Augusta – as well as the predicted booming TV viewing figures – prove that, whatever you think of the man, he is a serious draw for golf.
And at a time where the professional level of the sport (on the men’s side) is arguably doing its best to eat itself alive, a brief moment of respite when watching one of the all-time greats is surely worth celebrating?
Woods has only played one competitive round all year. That was in February at the Genesis before he withdrew due to flu-like symptoms. He would later knock it around in a more leisurely setting at the Seminole Pro-Member, but they could hardly be classed as game-day intensity reps.
Before that, and after withdrawing from a wet Masters in April 2023, the 48-year-old had undergone ankle surgery which cured pain but fused his ankle in position ahead of making his latest professional return at the Hero World Challenge in The Bahamas.
Four rounds there and a couple more alongside son Charlie at the PNC Championship in December was the limit of Woods Sr’s golfing CV for a full 12-month cycle.
And yet, when the big lights shone brightest at The Masters this year, Woods proved there is plenty of life left in him still. While several far younger and extremely successful players missed the cut in firm and windy conditions at Augusta National, Woods showed all of his experience to knock the ball around in just one-over through the first two days.
The cut – missed by the likes of Wyndham Clark, Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas, Viktor Hovland, Brian Harman, and Adrian Meronk – ended up falling at six-over.
The weather that forced Woods to play 23 holes on Friday did the 15-time Major winner no favors at all, and neither did his putting. Throughout the week, Woods left so many putts short.
But that doesn’t seem like a physical issue, it is far more likely to be down to rust. Once Woods tunes that up by resuming his one event per month mantra, who knows what could happen moving forward?
He has already committed to playing the remaining three Majors this season, starting with the PGA Championship at Valhalla next month.
In his post-tournament press conference at The Masters, Woods said: “This is a golf course I knew going into it, so I’m going to do my homework going forward at Pinehurst, Valhalla and Troon, but that’s kind of the game plan [to play the PGA Championship next].
“It’s always nice coming back here because I know the golf course, I know how to play it. I can kind of simulate shots. Granted, it’s never quite the same as getting out here and doing it. Same thing, I heard there’s some changes at the next couple sites. So got to get up there early and check them out.”
And in terms of how he ensures his body is performing at as close to 100% as possible in May, Woods continued: “Well, just keep lifting, keep the motor going, keep the body moving, keep getting stronger, keep progressing. Hopefully the practice sessions will keep getting longer.”
60th-place finish at The Masters aside, the fact that the greatest player in the modern era is already confident enough to pencil his name down for the three biggest tournaments this year is not only a success for him – it’s a success for golf.
With two holes to go, Tiger is in last place, a rare position for him over some 28 years. At events in which he’s made the cut, Tiger has finished last just twice. The 2015 Memorial, where he shot a third-round 85; and the 2020 Genesis, where he finished 68th after a final-round…April 14, 2024
One of the most talented golfers ever to have graced the game has just shown that – while the path may not be totally straightforward given the limitations of his body – the skill of a born performer and heart of a lion (or Tiger) remains.
Plus, if we’re discussing why this week was actually a success, the sheer consistency and density of the galleries at Augusta – as well as the predicted booming TV viewing figures – prove that, whatever you think of the man, he is a serious draw for golf.
And at a time where the professional level of the sport (on the men’s side) is arguably doing its best to eat itself alive, a brief moment of respite when watching one of the all-time greats is surely worth celebrating?
Additional benefits from the week can be seen by taking into account the fact that Woods has only participated in one competitive round this year. This occurred in February at the Genesis tournament before he had to withdraw because of flu-like symptoms.
He later played in a more relaxed setting at the Seminole Pro-Member event, but those rounds cannot be considered as intense as a regular game day.
Prior to that, and following his withdrawal from a rainy Masters in April 2023, the 48-year-old had ankle surgery to alleviate pain but ended up with his ankle fused in place. This happened before he made his comeback at the Hero World Challenge in The Bahamas.
For a complete year, the total number of golf rounds played by Woods Sr was limited to four at the PNC Championship in December, in addition to a few more rounds he played with his son Charlie.
Despite his age, Tiger Woods demonstrated his enduring skill and resilience under pressure during this year’s Masters tournament.
Unlike many other talented and younger golfers who struggled in the challenging weather conditions at Augusta National, Woods used his experience to perform solidly and stay near the top of the leaderboard through the first two days. Several golfers such as Wyndham Clark, Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas, Viktor Hovland, Brian Harman, and Adrian Meronk failed to make the cut, which ultimately landed at six-over. At that time, Woods was leading Rory McIlroy by three shots, with McIlroy being a top contender in every tournament he participates in.
In 2024, Justin Thomas, a close friend of Tiger Woods, was one of many famous golfers who did not make the cut at The Masters.
The conditions which made Woods play 23 holes on Friday were not favorable for the 15-time Major winner, and his putting did not help either. Over the week, the 48-year-old consistently failed to hit many putts far enough.
“That appears to be more of a rust issue than a physical problem. If Woods starts playing in one event per month again, it’s uncertain what could transpire in the future.” Woods has agreed to participate in the next three Majors of the season, beginning with the PGA Championship at Valhalla in the following month.
Phil Mickelson, aged 50, made history by winning at the same event and becoming the oldest Major champion. Will Woods be able to achieve a similar feat like his old rival?
During his press briefing after the tournament at The Masters, Woods mentioned that he was familiar with the golf course prior to the event.
He stated his intention to prepare diligently for the upcoming tournaments at Pinehurst, Valhalla, and Troon. Woods outlined his game plan, which involves participating in the PGA Championship next.
It is always a pleasant experience to return to this place as I am familiar with the golf course and know how to navigate it.
I am able to visualize my shots and practice them in my mind.
However, nothing compares to actually being out on the course and playing. I have been informed that there have been some changes at the upcoming locations, so I need to arrive early to inspect them.”
Woods explained that he maintains his body’s performance by consistently working out, staying active, and building strength. He hopes that his training sessions will increase in duration as he continues to improve.
Ignoring his 60th place finish at The Masters, it is a sign of success for both the greatest player in the modern era and for golf as a whole that he is already confident enough to commit to playing in the three biggest tournaments this year.
This positive development should be considered the highlight of the week.