American golfing legend Tiger Woods is set to play in the Masters for the 26th time in his career.
Woods, 48, has won a green jacket five times, most recently in 2019. He played in the Masters as recently as last year but had to withdraw after making the cut due to foot pain. A win this year would tie all-time great Jack Nicklaus for the Masters wins record and pull Woods within two of Nicklaus’ record 18 majors wins.
The California native has played just 24 holes of official tournament golf this year after backing out of the Genesis Invitational in the second round with the flu. Without much to show yet in 2024, Woods is not among favorites to win this year’s Masters. However if he makes the cut after 36 holes, he will have set a Masters record, having made it 24 consecutive times.
Here’s what experts are saying about Woods’ Masters outlook in 2024.
Tiger WoodsMore proof golfer is playing in 2024 Masters: He was practicing at Augusta
Tiger Woods Masters 2024 predictions
Notah Begay III, Golf Channel: Results mostly depend on Woods’ health
Begay said, “He’s got some major constraints. He’s got zero mobility in that left ankle and really has some low back challenges now, which he knew he was going to have… He can play the golf, and we always knew the question mark was going to be can he walk the 72, that’s still up in the air, but can he recover from one round to the next. That’s the biggest question that I really don’t know and he’s not going to know, either, until he gets out there and figures out if the way he’s prepared for this year’s Masters is going to work for him.”
Rich Lerner, Golf Channel: Another championship always feels possible for Woods
Lerner said, “[F]or those in the category best athletes of all time, the possibility of one more is never easily relinquished.”
Andy North, ESPN: Woods’ performance has a wide range of possibilities
North said, “Would we love to see him come in here and hit a lot of good shots on Thursday and be under par and be in the mix of it? Of course we would. Again, if he shoots 68 or 78 the first day, you wouldn’t be surprised that anything could possibly happen.”
Curtis Strange, ESPN: Regardless of performance, Woods’ participation is exciting
Strange said, “I’m just glad he’s playing. There was speculation up until the last week or so, couple weeks… There’s no doubt he’s going to hit a lot of good shots, and there’s no doubt he’s going to make some putts, but can he sustain that over two, three, four days?… [W]e haven’t seen much of Tiger. It’s exciting. I know he gets excited going there. It’s all good whenever he plays.”
Scott Van Pelt, ESPN: Making the cut for a 24th straight time is a win for Woods
Van Pelt said, “[H]e’ll tell you he’s there to compete and to win. He means that. That’s not performative. But I think quietly, alone with his thoughts on Friday, if you said you’ve played well enough to play two more rounds, I would have to think that that is a victory.”
Patrick McDonald, CBS Sports: Phil Mickelson will outduel Woods
McDonald writes, “We have only seen Woods play 25 holes this year, so it’s tough to have any sense of confidence about his form and makes me believe Mickelson will have the upper hand this year. Both players will use their extensive experience to their advantage to make their way into the weekend, but neither will seriously be a factor.”
Kyle Porter, CBS Sports: Mickelson holds slight edge in this year’s Masters
“Tiger is apparently hitting the golf ball well, but I can’t trust that he’s going to finish the tournament given he’s only completed one major since the 2020 PGA Championship.”
Tiger Woods addresses media:‘I hurt every day’: Golf legend battles physical limitations at the Masters
Tiger Woods Masters odds 2024
Woods is tied with Phil Mickelson, among others, for the 40th-best odds to win the Masters this year. BetMGM has set odds at +15000.
How to watch the 2024 Masters
Dates: Thursday, April 11 until Sunday, April 14
Time: Gates open at 7:30 a.m. ET Thursday; coverage begins 3 p.m. ET
Where: Augusta National Golf Club, Augusta, Georgia
TV: ESPN (Thursday, Friday); CBS (Saturday, Sunday)
Streaming: ESPN+; Paramount+; Masters.com; fuboTV
How to watch:Catch the Masters with a fuboTV subscription
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