Tiger Woods in tens

Tiger Woods is back. After a ten-week lay-off to work on his game, the former world No.1 returns at the Masters in pursuit of his fifth green jacket.

Woods’ last major success came at the US Open in 2008 and after a nightmare 18 months which has been ravaged by injury and sub-standard performances, the 39-year-old appeared refreshed and content with his game ahead of the first major of the year.

It also included a rare showing at the Par 3 contest, the first time he has competed in it since 2004, and below we work back from Tiger’s last ten Masters performances right down to what he’s been up to in the last ten days.

Last 10 Masters

Last year, Tiger Woods missed his first Masters since winning the Silver Medal in 1995 after undergoing back surgery and went on to miss the US Open and perform badly in the Open and the US PGA Championship.

In 2013, Woods was up for disqualification after an illegal drop at the par-5 15th in the second round. He was later handed a two-shot penalty for the offence and after a pair of 70s at the weekend, finished on five-under for the tournament, four shots behind Adam Scott and Angel Cabrera.

A T40 finish in 2012 ended a seven-year spell of finishing inside the top ten, starting with his most recent victory in 2005, where he defeated Chris DiMarco in a play-off which will mostly be remembered for this on the 16th hole…

Following that win, he was a runner-up in 2007 and 2008 and finished T4 in 2010 after a prolonged break following the public unveiling of his marital infidelities.

In short, Tiger Woods‘ last ten Masters finishes, from 2004-2013 are: T22, 1, T3, T2, 2, T6, T4, T4, T40, T4.

Last 10 majors

Tiger Woods has recorded three top ten finishes in his last ten majors, the most recent of which came at the Open Championship in 2013.

That backed up a third-placed finish at the Open in 2012, where he could’ve easily been in with a chance of victory following Adam Scott’s meltdown had it not been for three consecutive bogeys on the back nine.

Other than that, 2012 was a quiet year in the majors but Woods’ fourth-placed finish at Augusta in 2013 followed three victories at the Farmers Insurance Open, WGC-Cadillac Championship and the Arnold Palmer Invitational earlier that year.

Woods raced to another victory at the Players Championship but an elbow injury sustained there hampered his performance at the US Open, where he finished T32. He went on to contend at the Open until a three-over final round of 74 and after not playing at the Masters and US Open in 2014, Woods finished 69th at the Open despite a first round of 69 and missed the cut at the US PGA Championship.

Last 10 events

The 39-year-old’s performances in his past ten events doesn’t make for pleasant reading, with three withdrawals and three missed cuts.

Woods finished T80 at the Farmers Insurance Open last year and followed that up with a final round withdrawal at the Honda Classic. After the third round, he was on five-under for the tournament but was five-over through 13 holes when he left the course citing back spasms.

He returned for the WGC-Cadillac Championship a week later and after a third round of 66, a 78 followed and he finished T25. Back surgery ruled Woods out until June, but he missed the cut at the Quicken Loans National, finished 69th at the Open and withdrew again, this time from the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational with back pain again the issue.

He missed the cut at the US PGA Championship and didn’t play again until the Hero World Challenge in December, a tournament he hosts, where he finished joint last. The Waste Management Phoenix Open saw another missed cut and an 82, the worst round of Tiger Woods’ professional career, before the Farmers Insurance Open saw yet another withdrawal, citing back pain once more.

Last 10 weeks

That round of 82 at Phoenix was ten weeks ago and after his withdrawal at Torrey Pines a week later, Woods released a statement on his website saying he was taking a break to work on his game as his scores were ‘not acceptable for tournament golf’.

Woods came back into the spotlight two weeks later, releasing a statement congratulating Davis Love III on his appointment as US Ryder Cup captain, a decision he helped to make as part of the US Ryder Cup task force.

In his original statement, Woods hinted that he would aim to return for the Honda Classic at the end of February, but it didn’t happen and attentions then turned to his appearance at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, a tournament he has won eight times.

Another statement followed on March 13, confirming his absence at Bay Hill and despite saying he’d ‘continue to work hard preparing for Augusta’, there were real question marks as to whether he’d be there to tee it up.

But, after his plane was spotted at Augusta on March 31, Woods confirmed to all last Friday that he would be playing the Masters as he looks to win for the first time since 2005.

Last 10 days

On March 31, it was reported that Woods played 18 holes at Augusta National and after not feeling comfortable with his game, announced on April 3 that he was playing.

He said: “I’ve worked a lot on my game and I’m looking forward to competing. I’m excited to get to Augusta and I appreciate everyone’s support.”

Woods flew in from his Jupiter home in Florida for another practice round on Monday, teeing off at 4.25pm despite usually preferring to go out in the morning.

It was then revealed he would be taking part in the Par 3 contest, his first appearance since 2004, and on Tuesday, he appeared relaxed and jovial when speaking to the world’s media.

With the spotlight on the 14-time major champion, he teed off at yesterday’s Par 3 contest alongside good friends Steve Stricker and Fred Couples, with girlfriend Lindsey Vonn and children Sam, seven, and Charlie, six, accompanying him.

Woods didn’t speak to the media following the his round but commented that they’d had ‘an absolutely great time’. Now, attentions will turn to more serious matters at 1.48pm (6.48pm UK time) when he tees off for his first round alongside Jamie Donaldson and Jimmy Walker.

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