By TIM DAHLBERG | AP Sports activities Columnist
AUGUSTA, Ga. — The thrill constructed shortly as Tiger Woods completed chipping a bag of balls, gave Bubba Watson a fist bump, and headed to the follow tee to hit a handful of straightforward drives. A couple of minutes later he emerged from the clubhouse garden to rapturous applause as hundreds of followers crowded round with telephones held excessive making an attempt desperately to get a glimpse of golf historical past unfolding in entrance of them.
On a stunning day at Augusta Nationwide, probably the most stunning sight of all might need been seeing Woods standing on the primary tee as soon as once more with a driver in his hand.
It actually was to a bunch of 4 feminine College of Virginia golfers who discovered their approach close to sufficient to the tee to get a selfie of kinds with Woods within the distance behind them. They let loose a squeal and followers crowded 30 deep across the tee and all the way in which down the primary fairway screamed in delight.
In the meantime, defending Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama walked by the primary tee virtually unnoticed. This was Tiger’s day similar to that is Tiger’s match, and if anybody thought otherwise they should have been within the merchandise store shopping for souvenirs as a substitute.
Sure, it was simply Monday. However, apart from the blue shirt Woods was sporting, it certain felt like a Sunday afternoon.
He could also be No. 973 on the planet however Woods is all the time No. 1 at Augusta Nationwide, the place he gained his first main 25 years in the past and has gained 4 extra inexperienced jackets since – together with an inconceivable 2019 triumph that solely Woods himself might prime.
That one was magical. Simply teeing off on this one borders on unbelievable.
Nonetheless, the questions proceed. The slight limp that Woods walked with up the steep hill on the primary gap prompted much more.
Will he be there once more for a gap tee shot within the Masters on Thursday? Will the most recent comeback for the best participant of his time be the best comeback of his profession as he continues to fix from a automotive crash that just about took certainly one of his legs and really effectively might have value him his life?
Nobody from Woods’ inside circle is letting on. However the odds are trying higher each day.
Woods himself referred to as it a “game-time resolution” in a weekend tweet that hinted extra of “sure” than it did “no.” He performed the again 9 on Sunday, then got here again Monday afternoon for the entrance 9 when followers had been allowed onto the course for the primary time.
Strolling 4 days straight on a course that’s tough sufficient to stroll for gamers with two good legs may be a stretch. However anybody who remembers how Woods gained the U.S. Open at Torrey Pines in 2008 on a nasty leg is aware of sufficient to not depend him out.
“He’s type of a tricky man,” mentioned Fred Couples, who performed with Woods and Justin Thomas on Monday. “He’s by no means going to let you realize he’s in ache. He seemed good strolling. You possibly can all the time be in ache, however to hit it like that, now it’s simply the strolling half. If he can stroll round right here for 72 holes, he’ll contend. He’s too good.”
A lot of Woods’ fellow professionals imagine he’ll a minimum of give it a attempt.
“I’d be shocked if it was anybody else that’s ever lived,” Max Homa mentioned Monday. “So, no, I’m not shocked. I'm amazed. It's a true testomony to his work ethic as a result of everyone knows what he does on the golf course, how arduous he works, and the tales and the legend. “
“It’s a serious championship. It’s Augusta,” Brooks Koepka added. “Doesn’t matter how a lot ache you’re in, you determine a approach. He’ll determine a approach. If anyone can do it, he can.”
That it’s been just a bit over 13 months since Woods crashed his SUV in Rancho Palos Verdes till he returned to the Masters is, certainly, outstanding. However Woods is a notoriously arduous employee and this isn’t the primary comeback in a profession that has been derailed at completely different instances by numerous accidents and marital points.
The chances are stacked towards him – he’s 80-1 in Las Vegas to win – however the odds on him simply getting up to now would have been astronomical after he shattered his leg.
Woods mentioned a number of months in the past that his shattered proper leg appears to be like otherwise than his left. However a very powerful factor proper now's how his recreation appears to be like and watching Woods follow earlier than his 9 holes on Monday it seemed suspiciously just like the Woods of outdated.
Nonetheless, the unknowns loom, each for Woods or anybody who's considering of making an attempt to make some lengthy cash together with his lengthy odds.
Will he tee off on Thursday? If he does, can he make the minimize? Will his leg stand as much as 4 days of strolling a golf course that may be a lot hillier than it appears to be like on tv?
All good questions, although the largest one has been settled already.
“He’s right here, proper?” Bryson DeChambeau mentioned. “I assume it’s already a return.”