“The injury is devastating” - Tiger Woods’ caddie reveals frightening injury update about the golf legend
The 2023 Masters starts on April 6 with 90 golfers set to take the field at Augusta National Golf Club. One of them is five-time Masters champion Tiger Woods, who will be participating in the competition for the 25th time.
Speaking to the New York Post just before the tournament, Woods' caddie Joe LaCava revealed that if it wasn't for the Masters, the legendary golfer might not be playing.
"He's pretty banged up. If it wasn't Augusta, he probably wouldn’t be playing... He still has the power, the swing speed, the shots, and the length to contend. The injury is devastating, but if he could take a cart, he could contend tomorrow."
In February 2021, the 15-time major champion met with an accident in Los Angeles. His right leg was severely injured. However, he returned to compete at the 2022 Masters, just 14 months after the accident.
Joe LaCava, later on, added that since the accident, Woods has participated in very few tournaments.
"Obviously, it affected him physically, but I think it got to him mentally because he's grinding to block out the pain. I think that messes with you a little bit upstairs, and that's the first time I saw him trying so hard to block it out mentally."
Tiger Woods is slated to participate in the 2023 Masters. He will tee off at 10:18 AM in Round 1 on Thursday morning. He is paired with Viktor Hovland and Xander Schauffele.
"I don’t know how many more I have in me" - Tiger Woods hints that 2023 Masters could be his last
During a pre-tournament discussion on Tuesday, Tiger Woods said that after the accident in 2021, he was unable to process whether he could make a comeback. Speaking about his future participation in the Masters Tournament, he said:
"I don't know how many more I have in me."
Talking about his 24th Masters in 2021, Woods said that he was pretty unsure if he would ever compete at such a hilly golf course again. However, the five-time champion participated in the event and finished T-47. Afterwards, he talked about his experience.
"I didn't know if I was going to play again at that time. For some reason, everything kind of came together and I pushed it a little bit and I was able to make the cut, which was nice."
Since Tiger Woods has had multiple surgeries on his leg and back, it is quite difficult for him to have mobility. He admits that it is an issue for him.
"I've said to you guys before, I'm very lucky to have this leg - it's mine. Yes, it has been altered and there's some hardware in there, but it's still mine. It has been tough and will always be tough. The ability and endurance of what my leg will do going forward will never be the same. I understand that."
Tiger Woods has already won five green jackets in his career. He is considered to be one of the most successful golfers in the modern era. It would not be surprising if he says a 'Goodbye' to the sport sooner or later. But what matters is his presence currently while he is playing.