Tiger Woods spent Saturday on the hallowed grounds of Augusta National preparing for this year’s Masters, according to multiple reports.
The long-awaited golf major is less than two weeks away, and it was first reported on social media that Woods’ private jet landed at Augusta Regional Airport on Saturday morning.
Shortly thereafter, Sports Illustrated golf writer Bob Harig and the notorious Woods-supporting X account TW Legion reported that the 15-time major winner had driven down Magnolia Lane shortly thereafter.
According to Harig, Woods was at Augusta National to play a practice round with Augusta club president Fred Ridley and his friend and fellow PGA Tour pro Justin Thomas.
Within the club’s notoriously private confines, any photographic or video evidence of the round is unlikely to emerge, but Woods’ presence in Georgia is apparently a scouting trip ahead of his return to the Masters next month.
Tiger Woods reportedly played a secret round with Justin Thomas (right) and Fred Ridley.
Woods ‘landed in Augusta, Georgia, Saturday morning’ ahead of his return to the field
Woods and his ex-wife Elin Nordegren were in the news this week after they reunited on Monday.
Woods reportedly played Saturday with Ridley, the Augusta president and his good friend.
However, it’s not the first time Woods has been in the news this week, after a photo of him reuniting with his ex-wife Elin Nordegren went viral.
Woods and Nordegren were in attendance to celebrate 15-year-old Charlie winning a state high school golf championship in Palm Beach, Florida.
While Woods has said for years that they are good parents together, he was seen standing awkwardly to the side as Nordegren posed for a photo with Charlie and his son with former NFL player Jordan Cameron.
Woods, 48, was married to Swedish model Nordegren, 44, for six years before divorcing in 2010, and the golf legend’s infamous cheating scandal left their marriage in ruins.
The golf icon was married to Swedish model Nordegren for six years before divorcing in 2010.
The last time Woods played competitively at Augusta National was last year’s Masters.
He has donned the green jacket five times in his career and next month he will go for the sixth.
Before going their separate ways, they welcomed two children together: Charlie, now 15, and daughter Samantha, 16; and Nordegren had a fourth child, Arthur, with former NFL star Jordan Cameron in December 2019.
Meanwhile, Woods last played golf at the Genesis Open at Riviera in mid-February, but withdrew midway through citing stomach problems, which were later confirmed to be influenza.
An ambulance arrived at the course to raise fears for his well-being shortly after he left the course in a golf cart, but Woods did not have to use the emergency vehicle.
In a statement a day later, Woods said: “I would like to confirm that I have had to withdraw from @thegenesisinv due to an illness, which we now know is influenza.”
Woods’ last competitive start was at the Genesis Open, but he withdrew due to the flu.
Woods and Thomas (left) are good friends and will both compete in the 2024 Masters.
Woods poses with his son Charlie at the state championship celebration on Monday.
‘I’m resting and feeling better. Good luck to the players this weekend. “I’m disappointed not to be there and want to thank @GenesisUSA and all the fans for the support.”
A month and a half later, it appears Woods is busy preparing for his competitive return once again after missing the Players Championship in Florida.
The 48-year-old has donned the green jacket at Augusta National a record five times, perhaps most notably in 2019, when he returned from a serious leg injury to win the tournament against all odds.
He is tied for first all-time in PGA Tour victories with 82 and has 15 majors in an impressive career.