Rory McIlroy Says It Would Be 'Phenomenal' If Tiger Woods Plays in 2022 Masters
Rory McIlroy spoke for plenty of golf fans when he expressed enthusiasm at the prospect—no matter how slim—of having Tiger Woods compete in the 2022 Masters.
"I think for golf and for the Masters tournament and for everyone, to have Tiger there would be phenomenal," McIlroy told reporters Wednesday. "I think it just adds to the event. Obviously, it does. Anything Tiger Woods does in the game of golf is heightened whenever he's there."
Woods hasn't competed since the 2020 Masters, which had been postponed from its usual April slot to November because of the COVID-19 pandemic. He was involved in a serious car crash in February 2021 that resulted in fractures to his tibia and fibula.
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Woods' only meaningful action since then came in December, when he teamed with his son, Charlie, in the PNC Championship. They finished runners-up to John Daly and John Daly II.
Fans have remained cautiously optimistic about the 46-year-old's return to competitive golf. To that end, it was notable when he wasn't included in the list of former champions who won't be in the 2022 Masters field.
ESPN's Mark Schlabach fueled more speculation when he reported Tuesday that Woods played a practice round with his 13-year-old son and Justin Thomas at Augusta National Golf Club. A source told Schlabach that Woods "looked good to me."
Despite his status as a legend within the sport, few will expect Woods to collect a sixth green jacket, which would tie Jack Nicklaus' all-time record, if he feels good enough to step up to the first tee April 7.
The 15-time major champion is +4000 on DraftKings Sportsbook to win (bet $100 to win $4,000), but the fact he's +900 to crack the top five is a testament to his reputation.
If Woods can simply make the cut and take part in all four rounds, that will be qualified as a success given everything he would have gone through to make it to Augusta.
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