Tiger Woods breaks silence on swirling Masters comeback reports

Tiger Woods has offered a tantalising tease about his prospects of making an extraordinary comeback at this week's Masters after responding to the hysteria around his appearance in Augusta.

Woods sent social media into a frenzy last week after he was spotted landing in Georgia on his private jet, before playing a round of gold at the famed Augusta National course.

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Rumours instantly began swirling that the 46-year-old was gearing up for an almost unthinkable comeback to golf, having almost lost a leg in a horrific car crash just 13 months ago.

Such has been the interest in the movements of the five-time Masters winner, that supporters were sharing details of the flight path tracking the golfer's private jet as it transported him to Augusta.

Video of Woods' plane - with his distinctive logo on the tail - then surfaced on social media, showing the golfer touching down in Georgia.

Golf Channel’s Todd Lewis described the build-up as a "critical" week for Woods and said the 46-year-old will "exhaust every effort to play" at the Masters.

Now, Woods has broken has silence after confirming on social media that his participation in golf's most iconic major will be a "game-time decision".

"I will be heading up to Augusta today to continue my preparation and practice," Woods tweeted on Sunday in the United States.

"It will be a game-time decision on whether I compete.

Tiger Woods eyeing up against-the-odds Masters return

Woods, who suffered severe leg injuries in an automobile accident in California 13 months ago, is on the entry list for the Masters but has not definitively confirmed if he will play.

The golfing superstar admitted after the accident that he was lucky to survive the mishap and fortunate to still have both legs.

Woods has not played a full-fledged, competitive PGA Tour event since the accident.

His last PGA event was the 2020 Masters, which were held in November after being moved from their traditional April window due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Augusta has been a favoured venue for Woods over the years. He won the first of his 15 Major titles at the 1997 Masters as well as his most recent, an emotional 2019 Masters victory which came after a comeback from multiple back surgeries.

The 2022 Masters marks 25 years since Woods first won at Augusta, when he sensationally triumphed by 12 strokes for his maiden major title.

He last triumphed at the course in 2019, ending an 11-year wait for his 15th major.

The Masters runs from April 7-10, and as a former champion Woods benefits from a lifetime exemption.

Following the 2021 crash in February that almost ended his golf playing days, Woods took his first steps towards a return by playing at the PNC Championship with his son Charlie in December that year.

However, the tournament is a light-hearted event where professionals perform alongside a family member, and Woods was able to use a golf cart to get around with his son.

Speaking in February this year, Woods said he was a "long way off" a return to competitive action, adding he could not commit to returning to the PGA Tour this calendar year.

"You'll see me on the PGA Tour; I just don't know when," Woods told Jim Nantz when asked if it was fair to say he would play on the Tour in 2022.

"Trust me, I'd love to tell you that I will be playing next week, but I don't know when."

with agencies

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