Tiger Woods at the Masters: “It will be a game decision”

Woods also played a practice round last week at Augusta National.

The 15-time major champion has a reputation for want victory under the most difficult circumstances, and based on his swings on Sunday, he has regained some semblance of his golf prowess. But playing Augusta National, a long course known for its unforgiving elevation changes, could be a tall order. In a conference call with reporters on Wednesday, Curtis Strange, the two-time US Open champion who is now a golf analyst for ESPN, called Augusta National “the toughest step in golf.”

Another two-time US Open winner, Andy North, who is also an ESPN commentator, said he thought the British Open would be a likely venue for Woods to return to competition because this year’s venue – St. Andrews – is “flat and an easy walk.”

“Augusta is the last place you thought he could play,” North said.

But Woods, who won his first master’s degree 25 years ago, in 1997, carefully managed expectations – from the golfing world and, perhaps, his own – for a return to the tour several times since the accident.

In mid-February, before the Genesis Invitational, Woods told a press conference that he had worked primarily on chipping, putting and short irons, but hadn’t spent any time ” seriously” on his long game because of his right leg.

“I’m still working on the walking part,” Woods said at the time. “My foot was a bit damaged about a year ago so the walking part is something I’m still working on, I’m working on strength and development in that area. It takes time. Which is frustrating, c It’s not on my schedule. I want to be somewhere, but I’m not. I just have to keep working. I’m better, yes. But like I said, not at the speed and pace that I would like.