Tiger Woods’s closing day of preparation for the 2022 Masters was typical of the laid-back vibe on the eve of the event, when the objective is to play a bit golf, however not an excessive amount of — simply sufficient to remain free for Thursday’s first spherical.
With that in thoughts, Woods performed 9 holes along with his most well-liked apply companions, his Florida neighbor Justin Thomas, whom Woods considers a bit brother, and Fred {Couples}, who has at occasions served as one thing of an enormous brother to Woods.
Befitting the environment, the group smiled repeatedly thorough the spherical, though {Couples}, 62, the 1992 Masters champion, observed a slight change in Woods’s demeanor since enjoying apply rounds with him earlier within the week.
“He was a bit extra severe; he’s on the point of roll,” {Couples} stated. “The primary apply spherical I performed with him on Monday we had each flown in that day and we have been laughing lots. He was lighter. Right now, he and Justin have been fairly severe. They’re preparing.”
Followers lining the holes that the Woods group performed Wednesday, alternatively cheered Woods, the five-time Masters champion, on the tees and within the fairways and remained quiet as they virtually reverentially watched him apply his placing from completely different spots on every inexperienced.
{Couples} stated Woods, who had a extra pronounced limp on Wednesday than on any of the opposite days he practiced at Augusta Nationwide, seemed to be swinging the membership higher than another day this week. Woods’s surgically rebuilt proper leg, nonetheless, is clearly inflicting him some ache.
“The ache is there, however he’s handled that earlier than,” {Couples} stated. “When it comes to his swing, I feel he’s a bit sharper, a bit higher.”
{Couples} added that he continues to be mesmerized that Woods is again on the Masters so shortly after his horrific automotive crash on Feb. 23, 2021.
“It’s a miraculous factor, I imply, 14 months in the past I’m bawling like a child each day fearful about him,” he stated. “And now you’re paired with him and he appears sturdy. He’s hitting it loads far sufficient to play this course, and he performs this course so properly. He is aware of what to do right here. I feel it’s superb for him to be out right here.”
