If there was one golf major that Tiger Woods has a chance to win at this point in his career it would be the Masters, and while one notable PGA Tour analyst believes he has the ability to do it again, he would need the same level of luck that he had when he last won the tournament in 2023.
Tiger Woods is the most famous and beloved player in golf history, however, just like all the legends before him, at 47 years old his best days are well behind him. What makes success for him all the more challenging has been a slow and difficult recovery from a serious leg injury suffered in a 2009 car crash.
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The legend has never been the same and closing in on 50 hasn’t helped. Nevertheless, his legion of fans is always hoping that he can turn back the clock one more time and add to his impressive legacy. This week would be a perfect opportunity for such an event as the 2023 Masters takes place in Augusta, Georgia.
Tiger Woods has won the event five times previously and it’s why fans and observers often give him a puncher’s chance to win a sixth title after scoring his last win in 2019. On a Wednesday edition of “First Take,” ESPN Senior Golf Analyst Michael Collins explained why fans shouldn’t view Woods’ recent play at the Genesis Invitational as a bad sign, and there is only one factor that makes the Masters a challenge in 2023.
“You have to remember the Genesis is a place where he’s never had success. It’s the one tournament he’s the host and has been playing it since he was an amateur at 16 years old, only once got into contention to win and lost that one. Now, you’re talking about a place where; I don’t know if you’ve noticed but dude’s got five jackets. He can play this thing in his sleep. So the only thing difficult for Tiger is going to be the walk. That’s the thing. He can hit all the shots.”
– Michael Collins
Woods has noticeably limped for years while at tournaments and his leg durability has been his biggest hindrance at events he plays.
While Collins thinks Woods always has a chance at the Masters’ Tournament, but he believes his win in 2019 was helped by some shocking play from other golfers at the event, and the same would have to happen for him to have a real chance at a win in 2023. However, a top-20 finish is very possible.
“Now, when he won in 2019 — and people forget — that was before the accident that almost took his leg. When he won in 2019, the best players in the world had some catastrophes come down the stretch, like on hole No. 12 and on hole No. 15. Which we rarely see. Those guys are probably not going to have those same catastrophes coming down the stretch.
“So to think Tiger is going to get into contention and those guys are going to fall by the wayside, that’s really asking for a lot. But if we’re being honest about where Tiger can realistically finish, there are only 88 guys here. The top 50 make the cut, Tiger can finish in the top 20 and no one should be surprised if something like that happens.”
– Michael Collins