Five-time champion Tiger Woods is planning to play in this week’s Masters just 14 months after suffering life-threatening injuries in a car crash.
Woods will play nine holes on Wednesday before confirming the decision.
But in a news conference at Augusta National on Tuesday the American said “as of right now, I am going to play”.
When asked if he thought he could equal Jack Nicklaus’ record of six victories he replied: “I do. I don’t show up to an event unless I think I can win it.”
He surprised many when he announced last week that he was hoping to compete at the first men’s major of 2022.
In February, Woods made it clear that he thought the hilly terrain at Augusta National would come too soon in his recovery.
He spent several months of last year in hospital after sustaining a number of serious injuries in the single vehicle car crash near Los Angeles – caused by him driving at close to double the 45mph speed limit. Woods has said he could have died in the crash, with the need to have a leg amputated another fear at the time.
He played 18 holes last week, a few on Sunday and then nine more on Monday in the company of good friends Justin Thomas and 1992 Masters champion Fred Couples.
Woods’ last professional tournament was the rescheduled Masters in November 2020, when he was defending champion.
Source: BBC
