Tiger Woods may play in the 2015 Masters after all. Scott Michaux of the Augusta Chronicle reports Woods's private plane was spotted at Augusta Regional Airport on Tuesday, an indicator the 14-time champion is likely practicing ahead of next week's tournament.
Woods, who hasn't golfed competitively since early February, may be gearing up to play in the Masters next week. After a report claimed Woods was "50-50" for the tournament, Tim Rosaforte of Golf World indicated Monday the 39-year-old would likely play. Now, golf fans have perhaps their clearest indicator yet Woods plans to at least try to tee off at the Masters: his private jet is in Augusta.
"Buzz has been swirling that Tiger Woods would be practicing at Augusta National Golf Club this week, and it seems the four-time Masters Tournament champion is working out the kinks in his game today in Augusta," Michaux wrote Tuesday. "A plane matching the tail numbers of Tiger Woods' Gulfstream G5 was parked in front of the terminal for private aircraft at Augusta Regional Airport this morning."
It's uncertain if Woods is actually practicing for the tournament, of if he was even on the plane. Lauren Smith, the communications manager for Augusta Regional Airport, wouldn't confirm whether Woods had arrived.
Woods hasn't played in a tournament since Feb. 6, when he withdrew from the Farmers Insurance Open after just 11 holes in the first round. His withdrawal came a week after he posted a career-worst 82 in the second round at Phoenix, which likely contributed to Woods falling out of the World's top 100 rankings for the first time in his career.
"Tumbling out of the top 100 was inevitable given Woods' lack of golf in recent times," BBC's Iain Carter wrote Monday. "The biggest concern is that he has not felt able to compete in recent weeks and we still don't know whether he will be back for the Masters. For many players a slide down the rankings can be ruinous because a fall in standing limits playing opportunities. Woods' glorious career provides a degree of immunity from this potentially vicious circle and he won't struggle for events to enter when and if he feels ready to return."
Woods has said he's hopeful to play in the Masters this year, and he has until tee time on April 9 to decide if he will.
