Tiger in the Masters' final round? 'God, I hope so,' says Woods

 

Feb 21, 2021; Pacific Palisades, California, USA; Max Homa poses with the winners trophy with event host Tiger Woods following his playoff victory in the final round of The Genesis Invitational golf tournament at Riviera Country Club. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY

 

(Reuters) - Will Tiger Woods prowl into Augusta National this year? Even the 15-time major winner can't say for sure.

 

The 45-year-old American said last month that he had undergone a recent back surgery - his fifth - and told a CBS broadcast Sunday that he was waiting on the results of an upcoming MRI to see when he might return to action.

 

Asked if fans could expect him to reach the final round of the Masters this April, Woods replied: "God, I hope so."

 

"I've got to get there first," said Woods, who is just one win shy of clinching a PGA Tour record 83 victories.

 

"A lot of it's based on my surgeons and my doctors, my therapists and making sure I do it correctly," said Woods. "This is the only back I got so I don't know how much more wiggle room (I have) left there."

 

Two years ago Woods capped one of the most remarkable comeback stories in all of professional sport when he ended an 11-year major drought to pick up his fifth Masters win.

 

Speaking at the Genesis Invitational in Pacific Palisades, California, where he served as host, Woods said he was focusing on plenty of putting drills as he works his way back to form.

 

"Still in the gym, still doing the mundane stuff that you have to do for rehab, the little things, before I can start gravitating toward something a little more," Woods said.

 

(Reporting by Amy Tennery; Editing by Stephen Coates)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2021-02-22

 

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I don't know how he is going to do it.  Tournament is six weeks away and he has not swung a club since who-knows-when.

News today says he's "uncertain".  I think he's out for 2021.