Tiger Woods`s practice hints at Masters return

Watchers are raising the possibility that Tiger Woods may return to the field through the Masters Championship, this season’s first major event. Ahead of the Masters’ event that opens on Thursday next week, Woods conducted on Tuesday a training round at an 18-hall course at Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia, the U.S., where the upcoming championship will take place. On the day, Woods reportedly played an 18-hole practice in the company of two members of the country club and his own caddie. U.S. sports channel ESPN said, “It is impossible to know for sure, but indications are Woods has been putting in the time.”

After abstaining due to waist injury at the first round in the Farmers’ Insurance Open on Feb. 5, Woods has not participated in any tournament for nearly two months. At the time he said that he didn’t possess performing capacity enough to participate in a competition, declaring temporary suspension of his participation in the tour. While going through a hiatus, Woods saw his global rankings drop to 104th, which is a humiliation to him.

Woods wore "green jackets" in a total of four Masters events but failed to participate in the tournament due to injury last year. Owing to Woods’ absence, the Masters championship recorded the lowest viewership ever since 1983. If Woods returns to the tournament, it could provide momentum to help ensure the success of this year’s event.

Unlike other ordinary PGA tour events, Masters selects participants by thoroughly analyzing qualifications of golfers. It does not entail a separate process for golfers to apply for participation prior to the opening, and nor does it select a list of candidate players substituting participants who end up failing to show up. U.S. media reported that Woods` return to Masters will likely be determined sometime next week.

kjs0123@donga.com