Why spent force Tiger Woods remains the Masters’ No.1 attraction

Tiger Woods hasn’t carded a top 20 finish in a major since his epic Masters win five years ago, but when the banged-up 48-year-old tees it up on Thursday, the biggest galleries and TV minutes will still be reserved for him, writes MICHAEL WARNER.

Tiger Woods is the 950th ranked player in the world and a spent force in golf.

He hasn’t carded a top 20 finish in a major since his epic win here five years ago.

But when the balding, banged-up 48-year-old tees it up at Augusta National on Thursday, the biggest galleries and TV minutes will still be reserved for him.

For all his aches and ails, Woods remains a phenomenon of the sport, a 15-time major champion who “moves the needle” every time he takes to the fairways of a tournament.

In Monday’s practice round playing alongside Will Zalatoris, Woods’ limp - the aftermath of a 2021 car accident that almost cost him his right leg - appeared less noticeable than last year.

Past his time but still prime time viewing. Picture: Andrew Redington/Getty Images

But much will depend on the weather if Woods is to awaken the galleries of Augusta again.

Cold and wet weather is the enemy of the Tiger and rain and thunderstorms are forecast for the opening round before sunny conditions across the weekend.

“He played great today,” Zalatoris said of Woods.

“He outdrove me a couple times so there was some chirping going on. So, you know, he looks great. He’s moving as well as he can be.

“With everything he’s gone through, it’s pretty amazing to see how good he’s swinging it.”

Through his days of dominance, Woods was the world No.1 for 683 cumulative weeks, and is aiming to register a record-breaking 24 straight Masters cuts.

Amid the LIV-led civil war that has ripped the game apart in recent years, Woods has stayed loyal to the PGA Tour and is playing a leading role in ramped-up peace negotiations.

In two years, he’ll qualify for the Seniors Tour, but the toll put on his body just to play a single round means the five-time Masters champion will be rarely seen on the golf course again.

Tiger Woods still draws a crowd. Picture: Warren Little/Getty Images

The PGA Tour, too, is preparing for life after Tiger.

“Tiger’s impact on fan interest and engagement over the course of his career is almost immeasurable,” said PGA Tour senior vice president of data and decision science Mike Vitti.

“He is a transcendent athlete who changed the way our sport is played and viewed by fans on a global basis … (but) with Tiger competing less frequently at present, today’s PGA Tour is not solely focused on one incredible talent — emerging players have a greater opportunity to grab the spotlight.

“The respect from his peers and the golf industry remains unquestioned.”

The bookies give Tiger next no chance of threatening the leaderboard on Sunday, but Golf Channel analyst Brandel Chamblee is not sure.

“I think there will be times this year when he plays where his ball speed will get up over 175 miles an hour,” Chamblee said.

“I think his golf swing still looks great. As far as I can tell it looks like his chipping is sharp. Putter looks pretty darned good. It wouldn’t surprise me if he won another golf tournament.

“If you were to ask me whether or not I was buying or selling whether or not he wins another golf tournament, I’d say the odds are probably not in his favour, as they’re not in anybody’s favour who’s 48, and they’re further not in the favour of anybody who’s been beat up as much as Tiger Woods has been.

“But last I checked, nobody has done the things that Tiger Woods has done.”

Originally published as Why spent force Tiger Woods remains the Masters’ No.1 attraction