Johnson Wagner is not convinced that Tiger Woods will be able to play all four rounds at The Masters next month should he decide to try and tee it up at Augusta National.
All eyes are on Woods over the next few weeks. The 15-time major champion has not shut the door on making his first start in a major since the 2024 Open Championship.
Advertisement
Of course, walking around Augusta National is a significant task for anyone, let alone someone whose body has dealt with the punishment that Woods’ has over the years.
But there seemed to be another promising sign on Tuesday night, with the 50-year-old making his first playing appearance in TGL this season.
Johnson Wagner assesses Tiger Woods’ chances of playing at The Masters
Ultimately, it proved to be an anticlimax from a playing perspective. Woods’ Jupiter Links side were soundly beaten in the second match of the TGL finals. But it was hard to not view his appearance as some sort of test run for Augusta National.
Advertisement
Clearly, The Masters demands so much more. But Woods would have known that had he not been able to get through a TGL match, there was next to no chance of being ready for the first major of the year.
Photo by Adam Glanzman/TGL/TGL Golf via Getty Images
Speaking on CBS Sports ahead of Woods’ TGL appearance, Johnson Wagner admitted that he simply cannot see him being able to cope with playing all four rounds.
“I don’t see it [playing TGL] having any effect. I know everybody wants it to. I don’t think he’s physically fit enough to walk 72 holes around that golf course right now. Yes, he can, but under tournament conditions and the pressure and what it takes to get his body right, I just don’t see him playing,” he said.
Advertisement
“If he were to play, I think it would be a miracle if he made the cut. I think there’s a better chance of him WD’ing than there is of him playing 72 holes.”
What some fear may happen to PGA Tour Champions if Tiger Woods does not play
With Woods celebrating a landmark birthday back in December, there has been plenty of talk surrounding whether he will decide to tee it up on PGA Tour Champions.
Their tournaments are played over three rounds, while Woods would have the option to use a cart rather than walk the golf course.
So it would seemingly be a great way for Woods to build up that competitive edge again without completely draining himself physically.
Advertisement
However, there is perhaps a question mark over whether Woods will be keen to get involved with the senior tour.
Wagner explained that there is a concern about the future of the circuit if Woods does not feature.
He said: “There’s a lot of chatter and I think it’s revolving around if Tiger doesn’t support and play the Champions Tour, is it going to be around much longer?
“I think when you think about Brian Rolapp and the direction the tour’s headed, I think he’s been committed to the pathway tours, both Canada, PGA Tour Americas, and Korn Ferry Tour. But as far as the Champions Tour goes, I don’t know, if Tiger doesn’t play in it, that’s the conversation I’m hearing, is if Tiger doesn’t play, how much longer can it survive?”
Advertisement
It will be fascinating to see how Woods performs if he does play at The Masters next month. It will clearly give many a lot of hope if he manages to show glimpses of his brilliance on one of the game’s most incredible stages.
It may also reignite something in him that has some benefits for both the PGA Tour and PGA Tour Champions.
Read the full article here