Tiger-mania nabubuhay na naman, Tiger Woods nagpakita ng husay sa kaniyang practice sa Augusta
Libu-libong supportive spectators ang sumaksi sa pagpa-practice ni Tiger Woods nitong Lunes sa Augusta National, kung saan umaasa siyang sa unang pagkakataon ay makapaglaro sa 86th Masters, 14 na buwan makaraang magtamo ng malubhang injury sa kanang binti bunga ng isang car crash.
Ayon sa three-time Masters winner na si Nick Faldo . . . “Tiger just walked out of the clubhouse to scenes and atmosphere like you’ve never seen before. Patrons cheering and flocking to cram around the putting green. And it’s only Monday at the Masters.”
Nagpa-practice ang 2020 US Open champion na si Bryson DeChambeau, nang magkaingay ang mga tao.
Aniya . . . “From the driving range, we could hear the loud roar when he came out of the clubhouse up to that first tee. That was pretty special to see, or hear at least.”
Naglaro si Woods ng nine holes kasama ang 2017 PGA Championship winner na si Justin Thomas at 1992 Masters winner na si Fred Couples, na nagsabing si Woods ay kapwa “phenomenal” at “very impressive” sa kanilang practice session.
Ayon kay Couples . . . “To go what he has gone through, to be playing today — I’m sure he’s going to tee it up Thursday. Now it’s just the walking part. If he can walk around here for 72 holes, he’ll contend.”
Matatandaan na si Woods ay ilang linggong na-ospital at ilang buwan ding hindi makalakad, makaraan ang aksidente sa sasakyan noong February 2021, na nagsabing masuwerte siyang nabuhay pa at hindi kinailangang putulin ang kaniyang binti.
Kaya’t hindi nakapagtatakang kapwa ang fans at golf players ay natutuwa sa posibilidad, na ang 15-time major winner ay muling makagawa ng isang malaking tagumpay.
Pahayag ni 2013 Masters champion Adam Scott ng Australia . . . “It’s exciting there’s the possibility he’s going to play this week. I really hope he does. No matter what, it would just be epic.”
Sinabi ni Scott na kung makapaglalaro, si Woods ay tunay na banta para makuha ang ika-anim na Masters green jacket – na makakapantay ng all-time record ni Jack Nicklaus – at magiging 16th career major title niya kung sakali, kulang na lamang ng dalawa para tumabla sa all-time record ni Nicklaus.
Aniya . . . “I’ve learned long ago never doubt the guy. If he can get around, which seems to be the question, you can’t doubt his golf.”
Kinailangan ni Woods ng isang major rehabilitation para lamang makapaglaro sa isang event kasama ng kaniyang anak na lalaki noong Disyembre ng nakalipas na taon.
Gayunman, matapos na hindi magbigay ng timetable para sa pagbabalik, naglaro si Woods ng 18-hole practice round noong Martes sa Augusta National, na sinubukan ang kanyang fitness para maglakad sa maburol na golf course.
Sinabi ng 37th-ranked na si Max Homa . . . “I’m not surprised. I’m amazed. I’d be surprised if it was anyone else that has ever lived. It’s a true testament to his work ethic. It’s remarkable really.”
Ayon naman sa world number 13 na si Billy Horschel . . . “If I’m in his shoes, I don’t do everything I’ve done for the last few months and show up here and not play. The only thing stopping him, I think, would be if he gets some kind of injury. I’m guessing he’s going to play and I’m going to be just as excited as everyone else to see him tee it up out here on Thursday.”
Dahil may forecast ng bagyo ng Martes at Miyerkoles, Lunes ang huling pagkakataon para kay Woods at iba pang mga manlalaro na subukin ang kanilang sarili sa record na 7,510-yard, par-72 layout.
Sakaling makapaglaro at magawang muling manalo ni Woods sa Linggo, siya ang magiging pinakamatandang Masters winner at ikatlong pinakamatandang major champion sa kasaysayan ng golf, kasunod ng 50-anyos na si Phil Mickelson na nagwagi sa PGA Championship noong 2021 at Julius Boros na nanalo naman sa 1968 PGA sa edad na 48.
Kung mananalo sa edad na 46-taon, tatlong buwan at 11-araw, si Woods ay matanda lang ng isang araw kay Old Tom Morris nang manalo ito sa 1867 British Open at matanda ng tatlong linggo kay Nicklaus nang manalo ito sa 1986 Masters.
