Tiger's Agent Challenges Report Saying His Client Is "Unlikely" To Play Masters
This would all be humorous if it weren't for Tiger appearing unable to play the Masters, especially on the 20th anniversary of his historic win and when the sport would desperately love to see him return. Yet common sense suggests a Masters appearance is looking grim.
But not in Mark Steinberg's way of thinking.
Golf World's Brian Wacker quotes unnamed sources saying Tiger "seems unlikely" to play given that the 4-time Masters winner is only putting and hasn't been seen hitting golf balls by people in Jupiter.
Woods’ agent did not respond to an email seeking an update on his condition and schedule, but one source close to the situation near Woods' home in Jupiter, Fla., said, “I would be shocked if he plays anytime soon.”
Another source said that he saw Woods recently and he "didn't look good," adding that while he hopes he is back soon, Woods doesn't look close to being ready and that a return at the Masters would be too soon. The source added that all Woods has been able to do of late has been putt.
Golf World's Tim Rosaforte was the recipient of agent Steinberg's rebuttal to the Golf World report (!) but did it via Golf Channel's Nick Menta (!!).
"I have no idea who Mr. Wacker’s really close sources are. I can tell you this, nobody spoke to him (Wacker); so how he could know something that Tiger and I don’t know is comical," Steinberg said. "I talked to Tiger four hours ago on the phone. We’re not in a situation to even talk about playing in the Masters now.
Eh, em...Steiny...psst...it starts less than three weeks from now...
He’s gotten treatments and is progressing and hoping he can do it. There’s not been a decision one way or the other. I couldn’t give you a fair assessment, but to say it’s doubtful is an absolutely inaccurate statement."
It's doubtful.
Sorry! Wish the signs pointed in a more positive direction.
Geoff
**Tim Rosaforte confirmed on Morning Drive that the chatter around Jupiter--"interclub to interclub, golf gym to golf gym"--suggests Tiger has not been seen playing or practicing. Rosaforte notes this may be misleading since Tiger could be practicing at his home facility.
Rosaforte also notes, "if Tiger was hitting balls you would have heard about it and read about it by now from me, just living down there."
Reader Comments (47)
the aforementioned -4 was 14 shots out of first in a limited field event (18 invitees) where TW finished a resounding 15th, beating two, TWO players - one other invitee WD'd due to injury. If you are insinuating that the "73-65-70-76 -- 284 (-4)" was some way comparable to a 72-hole regular PGA Tour event, set up to PGA Tour tournament specifications, then I would suggest you stop drinking that green beer from your St. Paddy's day celebration, and get help immediately.
As far as an appearance at Augusta is concerned, unless some magical wand is found and can transform TW into even a reasonable facsimile of his former self, don't hold your breath that he will try and play and risk further embarrassment.
Probable
Questionable
Doubtful
For even Steiney to say that he is currently anything other than Doubtful (at best) is ridiculous. No credibility
Otherwise, this is just a continuation of the sort of rubbish that has emanated from his camp for over 20 years. Time for the golf hacks to realise that there is a generation growing up who do not want to "be" Tiger when they grow up. They want to be Rors and Jason and DJ and mostly Rickie (who, success aside, is looking like the Phil of his generation in terms of love). To whom Tiger Woods is the old crip who turns up occasionally, skunks, withdraws or limps away. It's usually kids who fancy fairy tales, but it's the golf hacks who are spinning their own because they can't turn the page and move on to adult reading matter.
I'd imagine most, if not all, invitees send their RSVPs in the same day they receive them!
Look for his regular two round (or less) appearance in some minor November event.
His future is as a permanent asst. at Ryder and Presidents Cups.
interesting phone number= I'll give you a call sometime/
@ HBL
you nailed it. +2
@ Joe Ezar and Patches O'Hooo
yep and yep +1.5 ea.
@the rest of the posts
good stuff and my take is he will show an play,, if all is not going well, he will ''have a back issue, or hit a rock and hurt his wrist- whatever- if he does not succeed at a good front nine on Thursday, he will WD ''for medical reasons''
Sorry he has to end it this way. I have said all along he needw to go out on top- even if it is for one event, or even one excellent round, even a hole in one would b better than a medical ''reason''. As I have cited, Nolan Ryan got hurt and that was that- not the way a champion needed to end it.
We need to recognize we are living in history- 25 years from now the number of people ''who were there will be juiced to infinity and beyond...
optimistically yours,
dig
@Joe Azar, the condition was met. Now, go iron some pants...
To me, when he came back I saw someone swinging seemingly free, easy and pain free. His scores in the Bahamas were not that important. The real story would be told as to how much he could practice and play in the early part of the year. He planned an ambitious schedule. My thinking is we'd know where he was at vis a vis Augusta by the time Riviera rolled around.
He got worse and couldn't even physically show up at Riviera. Has anyone seen him play an actual round of golf for any stakes anywhere since? If people are negative, that's why.
The topic was the Masters. As in playing 72-holes there. Next time give your cerebrum a chance to work before typing.
no need for DMAC to repeat.
dig
But we don't see your HERO making an appearance at the Masters......I believe that was the topic du jour.
and thank you, my "trousers" are just fine... "pants" refers to underwear, and it is obvious your's are in a wad.
unfortunately he's not going to heed Mr Young's words and will indeed....Faaaaaaaade awaaaaaay
Dan Stuart
reminds me of another musical line from north of the border that's related to Tiger/Steiny...well somewhat at least.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJZhc3HAwpc
"What you believe, you say without shame I just do"