Lindsey Vonn watches as TigerWoods hugs his children Charlie, left and Sam during a practice round for the Masters. (Chris Carlson, The Associated Press)
This isn’t the Tiger Woods you’re used to seeing. Loose. Calm. .
Still the biggest draw in golf, despite his recent decline, Woods will play for the first time since February, at the Phoenix Open, where he failed to make the cut and shot the worst pro round of his career (82).
Days after that tournament, Woods announced that he to work on his game.
“Right now, I need a lot of work on my game, and to still spend time with the people that are important to me,” he wrote on his website. “My play, and scores, are not acceptable for tournament golf. Like I’ve said, I enter a tournament to compete at the highest level, and when I think I’m ready, I’ll be back.”
Apparently he’s ready. Woods is back and will compete in the 2015 Masters — including its Par 3 Contest on Wednesday.
Of course, things are a bit different for Woods this time around. He hasn’t played the Par 3 Contest since 2004, and he hasn’t played the Masters since 2013 — . He’s no No. 111.
Since arriving in Augusta, he’s looked more relaxed than the typical Tiger Woods. And on Tuesday, in announcing that he will play the Par 3 Contest, he said his children, Sam and Charlie, will caddie for him.
“Charlie has seen me win a golf tournament before,” . “Sam, actually she was there at the U.S. Open in 2008, but doesn’t remember it. It’s nice to be able to share these things with my family, and it just means the world to me. They are excited, I’m excited and can’t wait to go out there.”
