Tiger Woods facing much bigger challenges than deciding whether to play The Masters after car crash, says Paul McGinley

Tiger Woods’ hopes of playing at The Masters look slim, but he has “bigger challenges” than deciding whether to play at Augusta National after his latest car crash, according to Paul McGinley.

The 15-time major winner was taken to jail after his vehicle rolled over following a collision with a trailer in Florida on Friday. He was charged with driving under the influence and later released on bail.

Woods walked away from the accident unhurt, but the 50-year-old’s latest high-profile car crash has cast fresh doubt over another appearance at next month’s Masters.

Asked whether the odds of Woods featuring at Augusta National were slim, former European Ryder Cup captain McGinley told Sky Sports News: “I would think so. I would say his whole life is in turmoil at this moment in time.

“I’d be surprised if we see him at the Masters. I think he’s got much bigger challenges going on than whether he plays in the Masters or not at the moment. A whole reconsideration of how he’s living his life and the challenges he has [is in order].

“He is obviously coming back from serious injury again – last year he had more back surgery – and he’s recovering from that, trying to get himself up to speed and rush to get ready for the Masters.

“He played in the TGL match during the week, and it was the first time we’d seen him competitively, even though it was an indoor game.

“His speeds were right up there; it was incredible how fast he was swinging the golf club. And although he walked with a bit of a limp because of the serious car crash he had a few years ago, he looked to be heading toward playing.

“But I think this is really going to set him back.”

Despite the setback, McGinley refused to rule out a return to professional golf in some capacity for the “competitive animal” that is Woods.

“I wouldn’t discount that [Woods playing again],” McGinley added. “He’s got a heart the size of a lion, and he loves playing golf, he loves competing, and he’s now 50 years of age, so he can play in Seniors golf.

“Although he might not want to play the run‑of‑the‑mill tournaments on the Seniors Tour, I think the Majors – like they’ve always done – will really excite him. And he can certainly play on the main tour in a cart as well, which will help with his injured foot.

“So I don’t think we’ve seen the end of him as a competitive player. He’s a competitive animal by nature, and I think that once he deals with whatever issues he’s got going on at the moment, settles his life, and looks at a new pathway, golf is certainly going to be part of that.”

When will Woods make Masters decision?

Woods is listed in the field for The Masters as a past champion and has no deadline to commit to featuring in this year’s contest, leaving him more time to decide whether he feels physically ready to return.

He used the 2022 contest as a previous injury comeback, less than 14 months on from a car crash leaving him with serious leg and ankle injuries, where he battled to a 47th-placed finish after back-to-back 78s over the weekend.

Woods withdrew ahead of the final day of the 2023 contest, won by Jon Rahm, where he sat bottom of the leaderboard after cold weather aggravated plantar fasciitis in his foot and left him struggling to walk.

He made a record 24th consecutive cut at the event in 2024, before carding a third-round 82 – the worst round of his major career as a professional – and finishing last of those who made the weekend.

Woods missed Rory McIlroy’s victory last year due to the Achilles injury, which subsequently ruled him out of the entire major season.

His five Masters wins came in 1997, 2001, 2002, 2005 and 2019, leaving him one behind Jack Nicklaus’ record of six victories at Augusta National.

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