Tigers Woods' decision on the 2022 Masters is not 100% official, but it sounds like he will be teeing off at Augusta National when the competition begins Thursday.
The five-time Masters champion spoke to the media at a press conference Tuesday and when asked about his status for the Masters, said, "As of right now, I feel like I'm going to play."
"As of right now I feel like I'm going to play."
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) April 5, 2022
- @TigerWoods pic.twitter.com/dZE9Iw6r0a
Woods followed it up by explaining that he is going to practice again Wednesday, but he has been pleased with how his recovery has gone and is going into the practice round with the intent on playing on Thursday.
Tiger Woods on his status for the Masters: "As of right now, I feel like I am going to play." pic.twitter.com/srUztCj16i
— ESPN (@espn) April 5, 2022
"I'm gonna play nine more holes (Wednesday)," Woods said. "My recovery has been good. I'm excited as to how I've recovered each and every day and that's been the challenge. That's why I came up here and tested it out for 27 holes. ... It's the recovery. How am I going to get all the swelling out and recover for the next day? My team has been fantastic and worked very hard. So got another day of nine more holes and then game time."
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The 46-year-old arrived in Augusta last week, playing in practice rounds before returning Sunday, saying he would be a "game-time decision." Woods is still recovering from leg injuries suffered in a car crash from February of 2021, in addition to back surgery that he had right before the crash.
The 15-time major champion has only played in one event since the accident and has been seen taking multiple practice rounds in the last few months. Woods said he will not play this week unless he believes he can win.
"I love competing and I feel like if I can compete at the highest level, I'm going to," he said. "And if I feel like I can still win, then I'm going to play. But if I feel like I can't, you won't see me out here. ... I don't show up to an event unless I think I can win it."
Woods is scheduled to tee off at 10:34 a.m. ET in Group 14. The trio of that grouping is Woods, Louis Oosthuizen and Joaquin Niemann.
TIMELINE: How Tiger Woods made remarkable 13-month recovery after crash
When was the last time Tiger Woods played in a golf tournament?
The last time Woods hit the course for an actual competition was this past December, when he participated with his son, Charlie, in the PNC Championship.
The duo lost to John Daly and his son, John Daly II, in the 36-hole scramble, but did set a tournament record with 11 consecutive birdies.
How many Masters has Tiger Woods won?
With Woods electing to participate in the 2022 Masters, it gives him another shot at tying Jack Nicklaus' record of six wins at Augusta.
Woods has five wins at the Masters under his belt, including his triumph in 1997 when he became the tournament's youngest winner at 21 years old.
The 46-year-old golfer last won in 2019, beating out Dustin Johnson, Xander Schauffele and Brooks Koepka by a stroke to earn his fifth green jacket.
Here is a look at Woods' wins at the Masters:
| YEAR | SCORE |
|---|---|
| 1997 | -18 |
| 2001 | -16 |
| 2002 | -12 |
| 2005 | -12 |
| 2019 | -13 |
