*A widely-respected golf journalist for Golf World reported Monday that Tiger Woods will play in the 2015 Masters. Although nothing has been officially announced, the sports world has enthusiastically launched Tiger Watch at Augusta.
Tim Rosaforte said in Golf World Monday: “I think Tiger Woods is going to play the Masters. I also think you’ll see him take a trip to Augusta National this week where he can practice in solitude without a camera on him.
“I base this not only on Notah Begay’s 50-50 prediction that got so much traction, but by some of the scores he’s been posting and the improvement he’s shown over the past two weeks up at Medalist Golf Club. Friends in Palm Beach are also saying ‘Tiger’s got the edge back.'”
The “50-50 prediction” Rosaforte is referencing is a report by Tiger’s friend Begay on the chances the golf star would tee it up at Augusta.
Meanwhile, Tiger’s private plane was spotted today (March 31) at the airport closest to Augusta National, adding more fuel to the rumor mill that Tiger is plotting his return to competition next week at the Masters.
Scott Michaux reported Tuesday morning that an aircraft with the same tail numbers as Woods’ Gulfstream G5 was parked at the terminal for private planes at Augusta Regional Airport.
As previously reported, Woods went on an indefinite leave from the PGA Tour on Feb. 11 following horrific outings at the Phoenix Open, where he missed the cut, and at the Farmers Insurance Open, from which he withdrew after 11 shaky holes of the first round.
In issuing word of his break, he said he would rejoin the tour when his game was tournament-ready. In a later announcement, Woods said he would skip the Arnold Palmer Invitational but was hopeful he would be “ready for the Masters.”
