The anticipation for Tiger Woods' return to the Masters soared as he was officially included in the tournament's field on Thursday, marking a significant indicator that the 15-time major champion will indeed grace Augusta National.
Listed among the 85 players slated to compete in the April 11–14 showdown, Woods's name stood apart from the 17 designated as "past champions not playing," affirming his potential presence at the prestigious event.
Despite being 48 years old, Woods remains a golf icon, matching Sam Snead's record with 82 career PGA Tour titles. His last competitive appearance was at the Genesis Invitational last month, where he withdrew after the first round due to illness.
Throughout his illustrious career, Woods has left an indelible mark on the Masters, securing victory on five occasions—most recently in 2019. His Masters journey spans 25 starts, each adding to his legacy in the sport.
In the 2021 Masters, Woods continued his streak of making the cut for the 23rd consecutive time, a feat shared with golf legends Fred Couples and Gary Player. However, he had to withdraw during the third round due to plantar fasciitis.
Recovering from injuries sustained in a car crash in 2021, Woods underwent ankle surgery last April. His return to competitive golf came at the Hero World Challenge invitational event in the Bahamas last December.
Since his last full four-round major appearance at the 2022 Masters, where he finished 47th amid recovery from severe leg injuries, Woods has faced challenges. He withdrew from the 2022 PGA Championship after three rounds and failed to make the cut at the 2022 British Open.
Yet, with his name gracing the Masters field once again, fans eagerly await the return of one of golf's greatest competitors to the grand stage of Augusta National.
