Tiger Woods at Masters: Golf Pros, Including Jack Nicklaus, Clash Over His Odds at Augusta

As the 88th Masters Tournament begins on April 11, with the Augusta National Golf Club serving as the battleground for the best of the best, all eyes will be on the finest golfers in the world. But there’s one player who, come what may, will be at the center of this legendary tournament: Tiger Woods. Especially considering he’s chasing a record.

Woods’ legendary exploits at Augusta have etched his name into golfing lore. After becoming the youngest player to ever win the event in 1997, he can now set a Masters record by making the cut for a record 24th consecutive appearance. Add to that his five green jackets already decorating his illustrious career, Woods’ return to the Masters always sparks intense speculation and excitement among fans and pundits alike. That said…

Will 2024 be a return of the 2019 Tiger Woods?

2024 is similar to 2019, as far as fans’ expectations for Tiger Woods at the Masters are concerned. Returning to form after a long run-in with injuries throughout 2017 and 2018, his run at Augusta in 2019 was nothing short of legendary. Will 2024 be a repeat of 2019? The 15-time major champion sure thinks so. “If everything comes together, I think I can get one more,” Tiger said.

While winning another major would warrant adding another stripe in the Sun Day Red logo, there’s no doubt it’ll be worth the effort. So, as Woods prepares for a sixth attempt at the top spot in Augusta, PGA Tour pros and legends weighed in on his chances of adding another chapter to his Masters legacy.

Will Zalatoris

Just getting back in the groove after an injury himself, Zalatoris, a rising talent who has played against Woods on the PGA Tour, gave a positive evaluation of the veteran’s current form. “He played great today,” revealed Zalatoris after the duo’s practice round. “He outdrove me a couple times, so there was some chirping going on. So, you know, he looks great. He’s moving as well as he can be.”

The 2022 Masters runner-up was pleased with Woods’ ability to continue playing at a high level despite his recent health issues. “Again, with everything he’s gone through, it’s pretty amazing to see how good he’s swinging it,” added the 27-year-old.

Jack Nicklaus

“If he remained healthy, I think he would’ve gotten it, but he didn’t remain healthy,” the 84-year-old golfing great Jack Nicklaus said on Golf Central. With a record 18 major championships under his belt, Nicklaus feels that Woods’ ongoing injury problems have finally destroyed his prospects of breaking that record. Nicklaus continued, “I feel bad for him,” implying that his own major record would probably hold for a while.

Even so, Nicklaus gave Tiger’s future some optimism, stating that the former World No.1 will have great success on the senior circuit. “I think Tiger will play the senior tour. He’d be able to get in a cart, and he’ll absolutely kill everybody.” Considering a big part of Woods’ struggles has to do with having to walk entire courses – especially the hilly one in Augusta – many in the golf community are questioning his chances of finishing the event.

Tiger Woods himself admitted to the challenge of walking a course. “Every shot that’s not on the tee box is a challenge. Once we start the hole, it’s a bit of a challenge.” 

Notah Begay III 

Longtime friend and former teammate Notah Begay III provided a more thorough analysis of the difficulties that the golf legend is facing. “For the past couple of months, he’s been trying to find a way to recover,” Begay said, highlighting the key concerns. The question, according to him, is, “Can he walk the 72 holes?” as well as “Can he recover from one round to the next?”

Along with highlighting Woods’ current physical limitations, Begay said that the former World No.1 has “zero mobility in that left ankle and really has low-back challenges now.” Begay thinks that despite these challenges, Woods is “trying to formulate a strategy and approach that he can work within, given the constraints he’s presented with.”

Curtis Strange

Two-time U.S. Open winner Curtis Strange voiced his excitement about Woods playing in the Masters again. In an interview with Golf Week, he said, “I’m just glad he’s playing. There was speculation up until the last week or so.” Strange noted that despite being “ceremonial golfers,” Woods, Nicklaus, and Arnold Palmer still have a special place in the hearts of golf fans. “People want to watch you play. No matter how you’re playing now, they want to be beside you. They want to shake your hand.”

“There’s no doubt he’s going to hit a lot of good shots, and there’s no doubt he’s going to make some putts. But can he sustain that over two, three, four days?” Strange asked, expressing the same doubts as Woods about his capacity to maintain his form throughout the four rounds. That raises a lot of doubts about Woods’ performance in Strange.

The discussion about Tiger Woods’ chances of winning the Masters in 2024 is still raging in the golf world as players anxiously anticipate its commencement. While his talent and fighting spirit are undeniable, overcoming the physical challenges will be his biggest test. With the thoughts and ideas from these rising stars and legends, Augusta National is primed for an exciting game from the five-time champion himself.

Read more: Tiger Woods Extends Zero Love for Longtime Partner as Sunday Red Loyalty Echoes Masters Return