Gary Player has warned Tiger Woods that he might struggle to walk around Augusta National – let compete to win The Masters.
Woods is a five-time champion at Augusta, winning most recently in 2019 when he secured a remarkable victory – and a 15th major crown – at the age of 43.
That earned him a five-year exemption to the Players Championship, considered the PGA Tour’s flagship event and golf’s ‘fifth major’.
But the 49-year-old, who has been plagued by injury problems over recent years, is set to miss this week’s event at Sawgrass.
Last September, Woods had a sixth back operation in 10 years. He abandoned his planned comeback at last month’s Genesis Invitational and has not played an official round since July.
Now Player has warned Woods that the physical challenge of The Masters could prove too punishing for his creaking body.
Gary Player has warned Tiger Woods that he might struggle to walk around Augusta National
Woods is a five-time champion at Augusta, most recently winning in 2019 at the age of 43
‘I’m such an admirer of Tiger Woods. What he did for golf around the world is remarkable. The same as Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus and a host of players,’ the nine-time major champion said, via SportsBoom.
‘But your legs are what carry you around. Your legs are what hit the ball, not your hands. And his legs are not in good shape.
‘The Masters, what people don’t understand, look at that tournament. It’s uphill and it’s downhill and it’s sidehill. And that is tough, tough on the legs. I don’t know if he can walk around there. We hope he’ll play. Everybody wants to see him play.’
The Masters is the first of the year’s four major championships. Woods finished 60th last year and 47th in 2022. Those are the only two occasions when he has finished four rounds of a major since 2020.
