The Masters played out for Tiger Woods in way that epitomizes how the last 10 years have gone for the 15-time major champion. His effort on Thursday and Friday was glimpse of how good he was in the 2018-19 timeframe when he returned from spinal fusion surgery and won three times, including his fifth Masters.
Then Saturday and Sunday was a reminder of the struggles he endured in the 2014-2017 timeframe, when he had three microdiscectomies and was constantly fearing when the back spasms would get him next.
The added burden now, of course, are the injuries he suffered in the 2021 car crash that severely impacted his lower leg, ankle and foot.
At the Masters, Woods only generally talked about his various aches and pains. But it appeared the issues were more related to his back. All things considered, Woods seemed to walk fine. He was walking strongly during his Sunday round of 77.
But after a birdie at the 5th hole Saturday—a hole he had not birdied since 2013—Woods fell apart. He bogeyed the 6th, made consecutive doubles at the 7th and 8th and then bogeyed the 9th, his approach shot causing him to wince on the follow-through.
He seemed to be O.K. after that other than the fact that his game did not return. His 82 was the highest score he ever shot at the Masters and just the fifth time in his pro career he shot in the 80s.
And it appeared eerily like those times several years ago when Woods might feel good one day with his back and bad the next. It’s unclear what remedies there might be, what relief can be achieved. But Woods did not sound like a guy who is giving up.
“Well, just keep lifting, keep the motor going, keep the body moving, keep getting stronger, keep progressing,” he said. “Hopefully the practice sessions will keep getting longer.”
