Tiger Woods looking to be Masters threat once again but knows career could be nearing end as caddie admits legend is ‘pretty banged up’
Golf fans around the world will relish seeing Tiger Woods tee it up at the Masters yet again this year but the great man himself admits he’s unsure how many tournament he’s got left in him.
Woods, a five-time champion at Augusta, is ready to embark on his 25th Masters.
He stunned world sport by competing last year, just 12 months on from suffering severe injuries in a devastating car accident in Los Angeles.
Woods nearly lost his leg but defied the odds to make the cut at Augusta.
The legendary American also overcame a host of other injuries and off-field issues to complete one of sport’s ultimate fairy-tale comebacks in 2019 and claim Masters victory.
Woods will be in action around the demanding Augusta National again this week but he knows time is starting to catch up with him.
Now 47 years old and baring the scars of his recent tribulations, Woods will soon qualify to play on the Champions Tour and would be allowed the use a golf buggy.
But he isn’t interested in any of that just yet and is determined to make the most of his time at the majors while he still can.
Woods said: "I can hit a lot of shots but the difficulty for me is going to be the walking going forward.
“It is what it is. I wish it could be easier. I've got three more years, but until then no buggy."
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He added: "Whether I'm a threat to them or not, who knows.
"People probably didn't think I was a threat in 2019 either, but that kind of turned out okay..."
Woods’ caddie, Joe LaCava, has admitted a buggy would help the ‘banged up’ veteran prolong his career.
Speaking to the New York Post, he said: "He's pretty banged up. If it wasn't Augusta he probably wouldn't be playing.
“He still has the power, the swing speed, the shots and the length to contend.
“The injury is devastating, but if he could take a cart he could contend."
Woods has always insisted that he only enters a tournament if he believes he can win it.
However, a more relaxed Woods has made no such declaration this year.
He said: "Last year I didn't know if I was going to play again at that time.
"For some reason everything kind of came together and I pushed it a little bit and I was able to make the cut, which was nice.
"I didn't win the tournament, but for me to be able to come back and play was a small victory in itself. I don't know how many more I have in me. I'm able to appreciate the time that I have here and cherish the memories.
"My mobility, it's not where I would like it, but I've said to you guys before, I'm very lucky to have this leg. Yes, it has been altered and there's some hardware in there, but it's still mine. It has been tough and will always be tough.
"The ability and endurance of what my leg will do going forward will never be the same. I understand that. That's why I can't prepare and play as many tournaments as I like, but that's my future, and that's okay. I'm okay with that.
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"I think my game is better than it was last year at this particular time. I think my endurance is better. But it aches a little bit more than it did last year just because at that particular time when I came back, I really had not pushed it that often.
"I played in February in LA and then took a little time off before getting ready for this. I just have to be cognizant of how much I can push it.”
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