Tiger Woods Declares: “As Of Right Now, I Feel Like I’m Going To Play”

Tiger Woods put out the word Tuesday morning, the word everyone wanted to hear:

“As of right now, I feel like I’m going to play.  I’ll play nine holes tomorrow (Wednesday).”

And just like that, Tiger sent the internet into a frenzy, the world of golf rejoiced, the folks at CBS and ESPN were doing cartwheels and the patrons were guzzling another beer.

Tiger made that assessment just after 11 a.m. on Tuesday when he held his press conference, hitting on everything related to Tiger’s world — his recovery, state of his game and his outlook for this first major championship of the season.

“I’ve worked hard.  My team has been unbelievable.  I’ll walk the grounds, test it out and see if I can play here,” Woods said.  He played 18 holes last week and then played the par three course with Charlie.  “He couldn’t resist,” Woods said of his son and the par three course located behind the collection of on-site guest quarters/cabins.  Woods played nine holes by himself, going around the back nine on Sunday.  Then on Monday he was joined by Justin Thomas and Fred Couples with a huge gathering of patrons going along for the action.  “Incredible,” was how Woods described the patron turnout.  “Everyone loves Freddie, that’s why they turned out,” he said, flashing a big grin.

Later in his press conference, he had what may have been an eye-opener.  He preceded the answer to a question with the phrase:  “Now that I am playing…..”  Which obviously upped the chances of him teeing off Thursday morning enormously.

Tiger’s adamant that he can win this week.  “I still have the hands to do it.  The body movement is good enough.”

The main challenge?  Augusta National and its rolling, hilly terrain.  “The only flat spots are the 18 tee boxes,” Woods pointed out.  He said his final decision rests on his ability to recover after walking 18 holes.  “It’s a matter of what my body’s able to do the next day.’

When asked if he though he can win, the answer came quickly, without hesitation — two simple words:  “I do.”

But there is the qualifier — the walk, hopefully four days of it.  “The shots?  No problem,” Woods said.  “Walking is the issue.  Seventy-two holes is a long road.  It’s a tough challenge and a challenge I’m up for.”

Yes, Tiger sounded supremely confident in his ball-striking skills and his ability to put a strategic, winning game plan together for navigating the golf course.

And it’s a course with changes since the last time he played in competition.  Changes to the 11th hole, the toughest hole on the course, particularly got his attention.

“Eleven is interesting,” Woods said, sounding as if he was holding something back.  “We’re farther back.  The Larry Mize shot is gone, they’ve raised the green,” Woods said recalling the playoff chip shot for birdie from just right of 11 green by the 1987 winner that ended Greg Norman’s Green Jacket hopes that year.

So as the world waits for what is seemingly a miracle of sorts, Woods sounded very reflective.

“Thankful,” was how he described his pre-tournament mindset.  “Very thankful for everyone’s support.  All the players out here — we’re one big fraternity.”

Except at The Masters. With that small field, it’s a much smaller fraternity.

And when you narrow it down to those at the Tuesday night Champions Dinner — that fraternity is even smaller.

Will it grow by one more come Sunday?

The story of the year, the decade, maybe the last 50 years — would be a certain champion winning a sixth Green Jacket.

Tiger’s Tee Times:  Seems the committee took good care of Tiger when it came to tee times.  He will play in the morning on Thursday, but not too early.  He goes out at 10:34 with Louie Oosthuizen and Joaquin Niemann.  On Friday, he goes off later, but not too late.  His threesome will tee off for round two at 1:41 p.m.

Click here for Round One and Two Tee Times:

Watch Tiger’s Entire First Round:  Go to www.Masters.com, click on “Live” — Tiger’s threesome will be one of the two early “Feature Groups” brought to you by The Masters.  It is by far one of the most extraordinary websites of any sporting event. 

Television Broadcast Times:

Wednesday:  ESPN (Par Three Tournament) 3-5 p.m. (Weather permitting).

Thursday, Friday:  ESPN:  3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Saturday:  CBS:  3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Sunday:  CBS:  2 p.m. to 7 p.m.