Woods unable to conjure Masters magic in forgettable final round
Send a link to a friend
[April 15, 2024]
By Frank Pingue
AUGUSTA, Georgia (Reuters) -Tiger Woods has produced countless
magical moments at Augusta National but during the final round of
the Masters on Sunday the five-times champion looked a shadow of his
former self and left many wondering how many competitive rounds he
has left.
Throngs of adoring spectators crowded the famed Augusta National
layout and stood on tip-toes to catch a glimpse of a golfer who has
authored some of the game's greatest moments but an injury-ravaged
Woods was unable to produce any magic.
Woods made one early birdie but otherwise struggled as he dropped to
16 over on the week after closing with a five-over-par 77 in the
final round, a day after carding an 82 that was his worst major
round as a professional.
"It doesn't take much to get out of position here," said Woods.
"Unfortunately, I got out of position a lot yesterday and a couple
of times today."
Despite his significant drop in form, the 48-year-old Woods still
draws the largest galleries wherever he tees it up and the decorated
golfer's very presence in a tournament brings an inevitable bump to
ratings.
Prior to setting off in the final round, Woods' son Charlie was
spotted helping his dad in the tournament's packed practice area
while a giddy swarm of patrons crowded the opening tee and jockeyed
for position ahead of his arrival.
By the time he arrived at the picturesque par-three 12th hole in the
heart of Amen Corner, a sweat-soaked Woods tipped his black cap to
the packed gallery who greeted him with applause and cheers of
"Let's go, Tiger!"
The massive gallery around the 18th green nearly witnessed a
signature Woods moment as the 15-times major champion almost chipped
in for birdie from 27 yards.
After tapping in his one-foot par putt Woods again removed his cap
but this time waved it at the thankful patrons around the green who
showered him with more applause and wondered if it would be the last
time he competes at Augusta National.
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2024/Apr/15/images/ads/current/ldn_smallsda_BUSINESSMAG_2023.png)
[to top of second column] |
![](../images/041524PIX/sports97.jpg)
Golf - The Masters - Augusta National Golf Club, Augusta, Georgia,
U.S. - April 14, 2024 Tiger Woods of the U.S. acknowledges the crowd
on the green on the 18th hole after completing his final round
REUTERS/Mike Blake
![](../images/ads/current/graue_lda_4_2021.png)
Coming into this year's Masters Woods had only
played 24 holes of competitive golf in 2024 due to nagging injuries
but despite his physical limitations the 15-times major champion
said this week he believed he had one more title run in him.
Woods made an encouraging start to the week and earned a record 24th
consecutive Masters cut, but the toll of playing 23 holes in
demanding winds on Friday after his first round was suspended on
Thursday due to darkness ultimately showed.
"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," said Woods. "Unfortunately yesterday
it didn't quite turn out the way I wanted it to."
While Woods defied the odds with an improbable win at the 2019
Masters two years after spinal fusion surgery, his physical
limitations and few competitive starts suggest another major triumph
is not on the cards.
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2024/Apr/15/images/ads/current/brandt_sda_SFARM_2024.png)
With three majors coming up on the schedule -- one a month through
July starting with the May 16-19 PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf
Club in Louisville, Kentucky -- Woods said he plans to do scouting
trips for each tournament's locale.
(Reporting by Frank Pingue; Editing by Ken Ferris)
[© 2024 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
This material may not be
published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Thompson Reuters is solely
responsible for this content.
|