Tiger Woods plays nine holes with Will Zalatoris at Augusta National before Masters decision

Five-time Masters Tournament champion Tiger Woods will address the media on Tuesday from Augusta National and presumably announce his decision on whether or not he will compete this weekend. The legendary golfer has made the cut at the Masters 23 times, and could be going for a record 24th if he hits the links on Thursday. Before that press conference, Woods played nine holes with Will Zalatoris, who came away from the practice session with glowing reviews.

“He outdrove me a couple of times so there was some chirping going on…” Zalatoris said. “With everything he’s gone through, it’s pretty amazing to see how good he’s swinging it.”

Woods, now often playing through injury pain, last competed at the Genesis Invitational at the Riviera Country Club. He ended up withdrawing and he hasn’t played a PGA event since. By playing with Zalatoris on Monday and bringing his wedges and putter around the course on Sunday, the 48-year-old is sending signals that he’s ready to compete for a green jacket once again.

“After the range session, he headed out and played nine holes with Zalatoris,” ESPN’s Jeff Darlington shared. “The question is, how well will he be moving later this week when competition starts? Zalatoris liking what he saw out of Woods out there.”

Zalatoris joins Woods at Augusta following back recovery

On top of a more recent ankle repair surgery, Woods has undergone a back procedure called a microdiscectomy several times over the years. Zalatoris had the same procedure done one year ago and the two have bonded over the recovery process. The purpose of the surgery is to remove part or all of an injured disc in the lower spine.

“It’s always special to be here,” Zalatoris said Monday after three hours on the back nine with Woods, “but obviously given the last year that I’ve had, it was a very special day.”

Prior to injury, Zalatoris earned the PGA Tour’s Rookie of the Year award in 2021. He shot a final-round 70 in his Masters debut to finish one stroke back of winner Hideki Matsuyama. However, two herniated discs derailed his campaign last season and forced him to have surgery. Now, a year later, he’s ready to compete for a green jacket, hopefully alongside Woods.

“My mom actually reminded me this is one year to the day from the surgery,” he said with a smile, “so kind of a fun day to kind of come back and play, and play nine holes with Tiger this morning, a guy who has really helped me a lot.”

The 2024 Masters Tournament begins on April 11 and runs through April 14. It is held at the Augusta National Golf Course and includes a purse of $18 million.