IT felt like the end of the Tiger Woods era at Augusta.
For once the four-time Masters champion shied away from announcing he was here to win.
GettyIcon Tiger Woods looks over the ninth green on a practice round at Augusta but is just happy to still be a player at Masters level[/caption]
Woods has won the Masters in 1997, 2001, 2002, 2005 and, here, 2019Getty Images – Getty
It was more like all our yesterdays, as Woods, 47, ran through all his great memories of his favourite event.
Don’t forget, this is a major where he has been the dominant figure for more than a quarter of a century.
Woods and the Masters have gone together like Trump and Trouble, ever since Tiger won here by a record 12 shots as a rookie professional 26 years ago.
His fourth victory in 2019, following surgery to fuse a couple of discs in his lower back, was more remarkable, and every bit as memorable.
But as Woods talked about his 25th Masters appearance, it was hard to avoid the impression that he has finally accepted the glory years are behind him.
The horrific road accident two years ago that almost cost Woods his right leg has left him toiling to complete 72 holes on courses as tough and undulating as this one.
Throw in a weather forecast that threatens thunderstorms on Thursday and torrents of rain on Saturday – prompting fears of a first Monday finish since 1983 – and this week will be even more of a slog.
Tiger seems to be finally feeling his age, with a long history of back, knee and leg trouble inevitably catching up to him.
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He said: “The process of coming back from my latest injury has given me is just the appreciation of being able to play the game.
“I’ve said this before, prior to my back fusion, I didn’t know that I was going to be able to play at any kind of level.
“I was able to do that and come back and play and happened to win a Major along the way.
“Then obviously with the accident, it’s been a tough, tough road, and again, it’s the satisfaction of just being able to play this game.
“And especially to be able to come here and play at Augusta National again.
“It’s such a special place. And it means so much to me in my heart to be able to come here and play this golf course, and just appreciate the memories that I’ve had here, whether it’s in competition, or the practice rounds, or the stories we share.
“There are so many memories. So much of my life has been here at Augusta National, and again. I’m just so excited to be back here again and to play and compete.
“But things are different now.
“I’m very lucky to have this leg; it’s mine. Yes, it had been altered and there’s some hardware in there, but it’s still mine. It has been tough and will always be tough.
“The ability and endurance of what my leg will do going forward will never be the same. I understand that.
“That’s why I can’t prepare and play as many tournaments as I like, but that’s my future. I’m limited with what I can do, but I’m okay with that.
AlamyThe par-five 13th hole has been lengthened 35 yards to 545 yards this year[/caption]
“And the joy is different too. I’ve been able to spend more time with my son, and we’ve been able to create our own memories out there, to share some of the things I experienced with my dad, the late-night putting or practice sessions that we did.
“It’s incredible, the bonding and the moments that come because of this sport.
“I’m not able to compete and play as many tournaments or do the things I’ve been able to do over the years.
“But to be able to still share this game and share some memories and create new memories with my son – and also pass on some of the things that I’ve learned to him and others – has been fantastic.
“I don’t know how many more Masters I have in me. So just to be able to appreciate the time that I have here, and cherish the memories, is a real joy.”
Rory McIlroy could clearly see the writing on the wall when he played a practice round with Woods.
McIlroy said: “He looks good.
“You know, if he didn’t have to walk up these hills and have all of that, I’d say he’d be one of the favourites. I mean, he’s got all of the shots.
“It’s just that physical limitation of walking 72 holes, especially on a golf course as hilly as this. And the weather forecast suggests this is going to be a long, hard grind.
“We never count Tiger out, and he can do incredible things. You watch him on the range and you watch him hit chips and putts, and he’s got all the aspects of the game that you need to succeed around this place.
“It’s just the toll it takes on his body to compete over 72 holes.”