The game might be trying to leave Tiger Woods behind, but he isn’t going down without a fight.
Ahead of what he hopes will be a week that results in a sixth green jacket, the legendary golfer sat down to talk with reporters ahead of the 2024 Masters. It was a presser that came with plenty of intrigue for a man that has somehow continued playing despite a litany of injuries.
After doctors considered amputating his leg, Woods’ health was the main topic of discussion.
“I hurt every day,” Wood said. “I ache every day. I prefer warm, humid and hot.”
Luckily for Woods, that type of weather appears to be on the menu this week, with thunderstorms in the forecast for Thursday’s opening round. Woods did point out that the issues don’t stem from the ankle anymore, saying that it’s everything else.
“The ankle doesn’t hurt anymore,” he said. “It’s fused, that’s not going anywhere. It’s other parts of my body that now have to take the brunt of it. The back, the knee, other parts of the body.”
Tiger Woods previously aimed to play at least once a month, but the plan never came to fruition after withdrawing from the Genesis Invitational. It’s something he hopes to change with the majors coming up.
“My body wasn’t ready,” he said. “My game wasn’t ready. Now hopefully the once a month kicks in.”
Despite the challenges, Woods is feeling confident heading into his 26th Masters.
“If everything comes together, I think I can get one more [green jacket],” he said.
Enough said. #themasters pic.twitter.com/EogXAXCunq
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 9, 2024
Sporting News followed Woods’ press conference live as he updated fans about his health, preparedness for the Masters and what the future holds for the all-time great.
Tiger Woods Masters press conference
11:32 a.m. — Woods is now exiting the interview room after about 25 minutes of talking about his health, desire to continue playing golf and his love for Augusta.
11:30 a.m. — “I hurt every day,” Wood said. “I ache every day. I prefer warm, humid and hot.”
11:28 a.m. — “I haven’t gotten to that point where I think I can’t,” he said in response to dealing with his own golf mortality.
11:25 a.m. — “If everything comes together, I think I can get one more,” Woods said when asked about expectations for this week.
11:24 a.m. — “The ankle doesn’t hurt anymore,” he said. “It’s fused, that’s not going anywhere. It’s other parts of my body that now have to take the brunt of it. The back, the knee, other parts of the body.”
11:22 a.m. — “Somedays I just feel really good and somedays not so much,” Woods said about his health and training.
11:20 a.m. — When asked about captaining the Ryder Cup team, Woods said that he plans to discuss the possibility after the Masters.
11:15 a.m. — “Every shot that isn’t on the tee box is a challenge,” Woods says about his health.
11:13 a.m. — “My body wasn’t ready,” said about his lack of playing in recent history. “My game wasn’t ready.” He adds that hopefully the once a month plan to play kicks in with one major every month going forward.
11:10 a.m. — Woods says he keeps coming back because the tournament means so much to him, “To have won here, my first major as a pro, hugging my dad, then full circle in ’19 hugging my son. it’s meant a lot to my family and it’s meant a lot to me.”
Tiger Woods on what The Masters means to him pic.twitter.com/Y2zz9biHOU
— Golf on CBS ⛳ (@GolfonCBS) April 9, 2024
11:08 a.m. — He opens by addressing a little about his health, saying he doesn’t have the bulkhead to practice on the range anymore.
11:06 a.m. — Woods has arrived in the interview room and we are ready to rock and roll from Augusta.
10:50 a.m. — We are expected to hear from Woods in about ten minutes, who is expected to address his health and more during this presser.
174 mph ball speed with the driver. Tiger is feeling it. #themasters pic.twitter.com/Dyb28vzkai
— Golf on CBS ⛳ (@GolfonCBS) April 9, 2024
10:40 a.m. — While Woods is certainly on the back nine of his career, it was only five short years ago that he captured the coveted green jacket for the fifth time.
The return to glory.@TigerWoods’ 2019 Masters victory is unforgettable.https://t.co/r3kb1s8uD4
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) April 9, 2024
10:30 a.m. — Woods’ return to Augusta comes with a little bit of added pressure, knowing that he’s never missed a cut at the Masters as a professional.
Tiger Woods has NEVER missed a cut at The Masters as a professional. Will that streak continue this week? 🐅 pic.twitter.com/0S9VjAotY4
— Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) April 9, 2024
10:20 a.m. — Will Zalatoris, who is also returning to the Masters after an injury, says Woods “looks great” and is, “moving as well as he can be.”
10:10 a.m. — Woods is expected to meet with the media at the top of the hour, so there’s some time to explore the latest and greatest in the world of the golf legend. Here’s an update from ESPN’s Jeff Darlington.
Tiger Woods’ preparations at Augusta are underway. The latest from The Masters: pic.twitter.com/G5sXnaGG1H
— Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington) April 9, 2024
