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April 7, 2022, 10:00 am ET
April 7, 2022, 10:00 am ETCredit score…Doug Mills/The New York Instances
Tiger Woods’s ultimate day of preparation for the 2022 Masters was typical of the laid-back vibe on the eve of the event, when the objective is to play a little bit golf, however not an excessive amount of — simply sufficient to remain free for Thursday’s first spherical.
With that in thoughts, Woods performed 9 holes along with his most popular follow companions, his Florida neighbor Justin Thomas, whom Woods considers a little bit brother, and Fred {Couples}, who has at occasions served as one thing of a giant brother to Woods.
Befitting the environment, the group smiled frequently totally the spherical, though {Couples}, 62, the 1992 Masters champion, observed a slight change in Woods’ demeanor since enjoying follow rounds with him earlier within the week.
“He was a little bit extra severe; he is on the point of roll,” {Couples} stated. “The primary follow spherical I performed with him on Monday we had each flown in that day and we have been laughing quite a bit. Hey was lighter. As we speak, he and Justin have been fairly severe. They’re preparing.”
Followers lining the holes that the Woods group performed Wednesday, alternatively cheered Woods, the five-time Masters champion, on the tees and within the fairways and remained quiet as they virtually reverentially watched him follow his placing from totally different spots on every inexperienced.
{Couples} stated Woods, who had a extra pronounced limp on Wednesday than on any of the opposite days he practiced at Augusta Nationwide, seemed to be swinging the membership higher than some other day this week. Woods’s surgically rebuilt proper leg, nonetheless, is clearly inflicting him some ache.
“The ache is there, however he is handled that earlier than,” {Couples} stated. “By way of his swing, I feel he is a little bit sharper, a little bit higher.”
{Couples} added that he continues to be mesmerized that Woods is again on the Masters so rapidly after his horrific automobile crash on Feb. 23, 2021.
“It is a miraculous factor, I imply, 14 months in the past I am bawling like a child each day anxious about him,” he stated. “And now you are paired with him and he appears sturdy. He is hitting it lots far sufficient to play this course, and he performs this course so effectively. He is aware of what to do right here. I feel it is wonderful for him to be out right here.”
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