Gary Player raises major Tiger Woods doubt

Nine-time major champion Gary Player has raised a major doubt about Tiger Woods ahead of this year’s Masters.

Woods, 49, is yet to return to competitive action after the PNC Championship in December, while his last tour start was The Open at Royal Troon in July.

Since being injured in a serious car crash in February 2021, the 15-time major champion has only contested 11 tournaments – missing the cut in four of those.

But as a five-time green jacket winner, Player isn’t concerned about Woods’ ability. Instead, the South African has questioned his ability to navigate Augusta National.

“I’m such an admirer of Tiger Woods,” he told SportsBoom.com. “You know, he did what he did for golf around the world is remarkable. The same as Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus and a host of players.

“But you know, Tiger Woods’ legs, your legs are what carry you around. Your legs are what hit the ball, not your hands.

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“And his legs are not in good shape. And 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.”

It’s unclear whether Woods will tee it up in this year’s Masters, which gets underway on April 10, with his return plans still up in the air.

He vowed to play in the Hero World Challenge – a tournament he hosts – in the Bahamas in December before pulling out.

Woods shared on social media that he was not fit enough to compete, although has since featured in his co-founded TGL venture.

But, after the passing of his mother, he raised doubts over his next tournament start coming at the Players Championship this week.

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“This is the third time I’ve touched a club since my mom passed, so I haven’t really gotten into it,” Woods said.

“My heart is really not into practising right now. I’ve had so many other things to do with the Tour and trying to do other things.

“Once I start probably feeling a little bit better and start getting into it, I’ll start looking at the schedule.”

Woods played in the 2024 Masters and finished 60th.

John Turnbull A graduate of the University of Stirling, John joined the bunkered team in 2023 as a Content Producer, with a responsibility for covering all breaking news, tour news, grassroots content and much more besides. A keen golfer, he plays the majority of his golf at Falkirk Golf Club. Top of his 'bucket list' is a round of Pebble Beach... ideally in the company of Gareth Bale.