Speculation that Tiger Woods will play Masters

Tiger Woods at Augusta National in 2006

Speculation is growing that Tiger Woods will tee it up in the Masters Tournament next week after he was listed on the interview schedule ahead of the first major of the season.

Out of action since withdrawing from the Omega Dubai Desert Classic in early February, where he fired an opening 77 and then withdrew before the second round citing back spasms, the 14-time major winner managed just seven competitive rounds after a 16-month absence following the third back operation of his career.

But Woods revealed on March 20 that he was "trying everything" he could to be fit and ready to compete at Augusta National for the first time since 2015.

Asked if he will be teeing up at the Masters, Woods said: "God, I hope so. I'm trying. I'm trying everything I can do to be able to get back and play. I love that event, it's meant so much to me in my life. It has so much history and meaning to me that I'd love to get back there.

Tiger Woods

"I need to get back physically. I know that the mind is sharp, I just need to get the body willing to do it. That's the hard part, is getting the prep time in."

Woods does not have to commit to the tournament until just before his first-round tee time, and he has not given an update on the progress of his fitness and his game.

But he is scheduled to give a pre-Masters press conference on Tuesday at 1pm local times (6pm in Ireland) before he attends the traditional champions dinner hosted by defending champion, Danny Willett.

Rory McIlroy is the only Irish player set for an appearance at the new media centre at 9pm Irish time ahead of his third attempt to complete a career grand slam of majors.

Tiger Woods at the Masters

2015 T17 73 69 68 73 283
2013 T4 70 73 70 70 283
2012 T40 72 75 72 74 293
2011 T4 71 66 74 67 278
2010 T4 68 70 70 69 277
2009 T6 70 72 70 68 280
2008 2 72 71 68 72 283
2007 T2 73 74 72 72 291
2006 T3 72 71 71 70 284
2005 T1 74 66 65 71 276
2004 T22 75 69 75 71 290
2003 T15 76 73 66 75 290
2002 1 70 69 66 71 276
2001 1 70 66 68 68 272
2000 5 75 72 68 69 284
1999 T18 72 72 70 75 289
1998 T8 71 72 72 70 285
1997 1 70 66 65 69 270
1996 MC (Am) 75 75 - - 150
1995 T41 (Am) 72 72 77 72 293
 

Pre-Tournament Interview Room Schedule

Monday, April 3

1:30 p.m. Rickie Fowler

2:30 p.m. Tommy Fleetwood

3:00 p.m. Jimmy Walker

3:30 p.m. Justin Thomas

4:00 p.m. Jon Rahm

Tuesday, April 4

10:00 a.m. Danny Willett

10:30 a.m. Jason Day

11:00 a.m. Adam Scott

11:30 a.m. Hideki Matsuyama

12:30 p.m. Curtis Luck

1:00 p.m. Tiger Woods

2:00 p.m. Dustin Johnson

2:30 p.m. Phil Mickelson

3:00 p.m. Jordan Spieth

3:30 p.m. Henrik Stenson

4:00 p.m. Rory McIlroy

4:30 p.m. Justin Rose

Wednesday, April 5

9:00 a.m. GWAA Annual Meeting

11:00 a.m. William Porter Payne
Chairman, Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters Tournament

Thursday, April 6

8 a.m. Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player
Immediately following the Honorary Starters Ceremony