Tiger Woods had plenty of prep time between his last competitive round on the PGA Tour, at the Genesis Invitational, in February, and his first round at the 88th Masters this week — 55 days, to be exact. The same could not be said of the time Woods had between his first Masters round and his second.
A Quick Turnaround
Because inclement weather delayed the start of the opening round, Woods’ Thursday tee time was pushed to 3:54 p.m., meaning he and his playing partners — Max Homa and Jason Day — were able to complete only 13 holes before darkness set in. They resumed their first round at 7:50 a.m. Friday in cool, blustery conditions and played their remaining five holes in 1 hour and 36 minutes. When Woods tapped in for a bogey 5 on 18 at 9:26 a.m., he had a one-over 73 on his card and exactly 52 minutes to ready himself for his second round.
Physical Challenges
Having less than an hour between rounds might not sound like a big deal; perhaps you do it regularly at your club, or on your annual 36-holes-a-day buddies’ trip. But you likely haven’t had five microdisectomies on your back…and multiple knee surgeries…and screws and pins in your right ankle…and a subtalar fusion in that same ankle to address post-traumatic arthritis…and…well, your quick turnaround most certainly has never come on a Masters Friday at Augusta National. Woods, meanwhile? He’s half golfer, half medical miracle. It’s remarkable he’s navigating this course, let alone making birdies on it. He all but creaks when he walks and squeaks when he swings, which explains why he rises at 4:30 a.m. to prime his body for morning tee times.
A Hectic Schedule
So, how would a player who is accustomed to spending hours, days or even weeks readying for a round make use of less prep time than it takes to roast a small chicken? Here’s a breakdown of Tiger Woods’ busy day at the Masters:
9:26 a.m.:
Woods finishes his first round with a bogey on the 18th green.
9:35 a.m.:
Woods emerges from scoring, surrounded by reporters. He opts not to give an interview and moves quickly towards the practice range.
9:41 a.m.:
Woods arrives at the practice range and begins transferring the second-round pin locations to his yardage books.
9:44 a.m.:
Woods prepares his body by applying Icy Hot to his midriff and lower spine to alleviate pain. His caddie cleanses Woods’ hands with water.
9:47 a.m.:
Woods warms up with his wedge, hitting balls to targets at varying distances.
9:50 a.m.:
Woods moves on to using an 8- or 9-iron, hitting balls into a large area on the range.
9:58 a.m.:
Woods practices with his fairway wood and driver, hitting several shots with each club.
10:13 a.m.:
Woods heads to the practice green to work on his putting, attracting a mass of patrons eager for a glimpse.
10:17 a.m.:
The official announces Woods’ arrival on the first tee, and he takes a few more practice swings before teeing off.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
How much time did Tiger Woods have between his first and second round at the Masters?
Woods had exactly 52 minutes to prepare for his second round.
How did Tiger Woods prepare himself in such a short amount of time?
Woods quickly went through a series of warm-up exercises and practiced with his wedge, irons, and woods on the range. He also spent time practicing his putting on the practice green.
Why is it remarkable that Tiger Woods is able to compete despite his physical challenges?
Woods has undergone multiple surgeries on his back and knees, as well as having screws, pins, and a fusion procedure in his right ankle. His ability to still compete at a high level is a testament to his determination and resilience.
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