As Tiger Woods prepares for his unlikely bid for Augusta glory, the struggling superstar has found support from three-time Masters winner and golfing legend Gary Player.
“If anyone’s capable of coming back it’s Tiger,” Player told CNN Living Golf’s live web chat ahead of the opening major of the 2015 season.
Woods is returning to competitive golf after slipping outside of the world’s top 100, hit by poor form and then a back injury when he attempted his latest comeback earlier this year.
After announcing an “indefinite break,” it came as a surprise when Woods said he would be teeing it up around an unforgiving course and under the full glare of the media spotlight.
Tuesday’s draw paired the former world No. 1 with European Ryder Cup hero Jamie Donaldson and American Jimmy Walker for the first two rounds.
“Tiger brings in more people, more publicity for tournaments, ticket sales are higher, sponsors are happy, so I hope he comes back,” Player said.
“If he can make the cut at the Masters this week, with what he has gone through lately it will be a good start.”
Despite Player’s backing, the omens are not promising for the 39-year-old Woods, whose few appearances on the 2015 PGA Tour have been marked by uncharacteristically poor play around the greens.
Fans and seasoned observers were shocked as Woods “duffed” chip shots like a high handicap player.
Many suggested he had the “yips” — which is a golfing term for the loss of the co-ordination required to play touch shots like putting and chipping.
In Woods’ practice round Monday at Augusta there was no sign of this problem and Player is hoping that it was just a temporary situation because of a swing change.
“There are people that say he has the ‘yips.’ If he has got the ‘yips’ it will be a miracle if he wins majors again,” added the 79-year-old South African, who won the Masters in 1961, 1974 and 1978.
Woods has certainly been in relaxed move ahead of his bid for a 15th major crown, but first since 2008.
His two children, daughter Sam and son Charlie, have been seen on the practice ground with him and he confirmed that they will act as his caddies during Wednesday’s annual par-three contest.
“My two littles are going to be out there with me,” he told a media conference Tuesday.
Woods aside, Player has picked four players to watch when the famed tournament starts Thursday.
“Rory McIlroy, Jordan Spieth, Henrik Stenson, and Jason Day,” he said.
World No. 1 McIlroy will partner three-time Masters winner Phil Mickelson and fellow American Ryan Moore for his opening two rounds, as the Northern Irishman seeks to complete his collection of major titles.
Two-time champion Bubba Watson will open his title defense in an early tee-off with 2013 U.S. Open winner Justin Rose of England and South Korean amateur Gunn Yang.
