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Tiger’s agent disputes “comical” report that Woods won’t play the Masters

Published

9 years ago

on

Let’s back up to the beginning of this dramatic back-and-forth. First, there was Brian Wacker’s report Friday for Golf Digest that it’s unlikely Tiger Woods will tee it up at the Masters this year. Here’s the pertinent bit.

“Woods’ agent did not respond to an email seeking an update on his condition and schedule, but one source close to the situation near Woods’ home in Jupiter, Fla., said, “I would be shocked if he plays anytime soon.”

“Another source said that he saw Woods recently and he “didn’t look good,” adding that while he hopes he is back soon, Woods doesn’t look close to being ready and that a return at the Masters would be too soon. The source added that all Woods has been able to do of late has been putt.”

Woods, of course, hasn’t played a competitive round since withdrawing from the Abu Dhabi Championship at the beginning of February.

While Steinberg didn’t respond to Wacker’s email, he sure felt compelled to talk to Golf Channel in light of the scribe’s report. Here’s what Mark Steinberg had to say.

“I have no idea who Mr. Wacker’s really close sources are. I can tell you this, nobody spoke to him; so how he could know something that Tiger and I don’t know is comical. I talked to Tiger four hours ago on the phone. We’re not in a situation to even talk about playing in the Masters now. He’s gotten treatments and is progressing and hoping he can do it. There’s not been a decision one way or the other. I couldn’t give you a fair assessment, but to say it’s doubtful is an absolutely inaccurate statement.”

It’s no secret that Team Tiger is a secretive bunch, so the idea that someone broke ranks and spoke to Golf Digest is particularly irksome to Woods’ longtime agent. It’s unclear who the “nobody” in question would be/who Steinberg feels has the authority to speak on Woods’ condition (besides he and Woods).

It’s also unclear how Woods isn’t “in a situation to even talk about playing in the Masters” with the tournament just three weeks away. And Steinberg certainly didn’t refute the report that Woods’ practice has been limited to stroking a few putts since the WD in Abu Dhabi…

Anyway, Geoff Shackelford (and Tim Rosaforte) essentially backed up Wacker’s source reports. Per Shackelford:

“Tim Rosaforte confirmed on Morning Drive that the chatter around Jupiter–“interclub to interclub, golf gym to golf gym”–suggests Tiger has not been seen playing or practicing. Rosaforte notes this may be misleading since Tiger could be practicing at his home facility. Rosaforte also notes, “if Tiger was hitting balls you would have heard about it and read about it by now from me, just living down there.’”

Ultimately, here’s the most optimistic take on this war of words: Woods is completing some level of practice and preparation at his home facility and is yet to concern himself with a firm decision on whether he’ll play in the Masters.

But with the first round beginning on April 6, he’ll surely want to dial up his preparations in earnest if there’s a chance we’ll see him inside the ropes at Augusta National.

Also a certainty: Woods’ book signing Monday in New York will be the most attentively watched and heavily scrutinized in the history of golf book signings.

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Ben Alberstadt is the Editor-in-Chief at GolfWRX, where he’s led editorial direction and gear coverage since 2018. He first joined the site as a freelance writer in 2012 after years spent working in pro shops and bag rooms at both public and private golf courses, experiences that laid the foundation for his deep knowledge of equipment and all facets of this maddening game. Based in Philadelphia, Ben’s byline has also appeared on PGATour.com, Bleacher Report...and across numerous PGA DFS and fantasy golf platforms. Off the course, Ben is a committed cat rescuer and, of course, a passionate Philadelphia sports fan. Follow him on Instagram @benalberstadt.

24 Comments

24 Comments

  1. van phong pham hong ha

    May 5, 2020 at 11:57 pm

    He can show up and just hit the opening ball with the rest of the honourable retirees

    Reply Report comment

  2. jackgolf

    Sep 26, 2019 at 2:52 am

    Tiger is my idol! u done well!i like your style

    Reply Report comment

  3. kh? gi?y a4

    Jul 11, 2019 at 2:50 am

    He can show up and just hit the opening ball with the rest of the honourable retirees

    Reply Report comment

  4. https://dochoitinhducnamnu.com/

    Mar 28, 2018 at 5:16 am

    Oh. Thank you very much! The good infomation!

    Reply Report comment

  5. http://thuemayphoto.info/

    Nov 6, 2017 at 7:26 am

    Thank you! Very googd

    Reply Report comment

  6. S Hitter

    Mar 24, 2017 at 11:03 am

    He can show up and just hit the opening ball with the rest of the honourable retirees

    Reply Report comment

  7. https://thuemayphotocopy.vn

    Mar 21, 2017 at 10:07 pm

    In the end, it doesn’t really matter. “Will he?. Won’t he?”
    He won’t.

    Reply Report comment

  8. Steve S

    Mar 20, 2017 at 2:49 pm

    You bet on Tigwer Woods in Vegas. Not on his finish in the Masters…but whether he’ll play or not. Currently 5-1 against.

    Reply Report comment

  9. birdie

    Mar 20, 2017 at 12:53 pm

    More comical to think at 2 weeks out that if woods has not yet committed that there is any reason to believe that woods will actually play.

    Tiger can do as he needs relating to his health, but its annoying as f…. to continually play this game of maybe i will maybe i won’t. if he has committed yet, whats the best case scenario? a last minute entry only to miss the cut?

    Reply Report comment

  10. ochowie

    Mar 20, 2017 at 12:21 pm

    “I talked to Tiger four hours ago on the phone. We’re not in a situation to even talk about playing in the Masters now.”

    Masters week is two weeks away and they haven’t even talked about him playing? I think there’s the answer right there and he is for sure not playing.

    Reply Report comment

  11. Greg

    Mar 20, 2017 at 10:54 am

    If he comes back, he comes back. Until then, some pretty good golf being played out there by others.

    Reply Report comment

  12. AGF

    Mar 20, 2017 at 10:49 am

    These are golf news websites referenced here; it’s not national security.

    Golf journalists covering basic stories such as this should not be crediting statements to unnamed sources — that’s crap journalism.

    Either identify the person making the statements or make certain to point out that each of these ‘unnamed source’ statements are pure speculation and opinion.

    Bottom line, writing a story about Tiger without calling him or his agent is lazy and lame.

    Reply Report comment

  13. TeeBone

    Mar 20, 2017 at 10:45 am

    The only thing “comical” is that this guy makes more news for NOT playing than the top players make for playing. This just in…..Tiger Woods just hit a full pitching wedge! Gimme a break. Even if he were to start in The Masters, he’s in no condition to contend.

    Reply Report comment

  14. Tom

    Mar 20, 2017 at 10:44 am

    Tic Toc ….Tic Toc…

    Reply Report comment

  15. Steve

    Mar 20, 2017 at 10:03 am

    The source just expressed an opinion that he would be shocked to see Tiger play anytime soon. That is not a statement that Tiger isn’t playing, it’s a passing comment. Just more media BS………

    BTW, Tiger is NOT playing in The Masters

    Reply Report comment

  16. Tom54

    Mar 20, 2017 at 10:02 am

    The Ringling Bros calling it quits soon. This Tiger Woods circus needs to fold up their tent too. We are all getting tired of all the hoopla Time to move on

    Reply Report comment

  17. Jack Nash

    Mar 20, 2017 at 9:32 am

    In the end, it doesn’t really matter. “Will he?. Won’t he?”

    He won’t.

    Reply Report comment

  18. Jim

    Mar 20, 2017 at 9:24 am

    ‘Comical’ is not the word that comes to mind

    SAD is more appropriate

    Last minute WD before 2nd round finish or MC…

    Reply Report comment

  19. robin

    Mar 20, 2017 at 9:17 am

    His agent, is trying to make him out to being still relevant .

    Reply Report comment

  20. The dude

    Mar 20, 2017 at 8:56 am

    News flash…..”Tiger woods pulls out of book signing due to back spasms”.

    Reply Report comment

  21. Travis

    Mar 20, 2017 at 8:53 am

    Relax Steinberg–don’t get your panties in a knot.

    Reply Report comment

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