In a viral video, Tiger Woods was seen cautiously walking in the rain at Augusta National, revealing the physical limitations he now faces. Though he didn't show any signs of pain, onlookers could see the struggle in his movements as he played a game he once ruled.
During the third round of the Masters, Woods was nine-over, falling to the bottom of the leaderboard. He had just made the cut with a three-over score at the halfway point. This was not the powerful, all-conquering Woods we once knew.
Woods eventually withdrew before the third round could resume due to a foot injury (plantar fasciitis) that caused visible discomfort. His body, weakened by multiple surgeries and injuries, did not favor the cold and rainy conditions that require a lengthy warm-up routine.
The weather and the challenging schedule, including an early wake-up on Saturday, further tested Woods' physical capabilities. The rain-hit tournament schedule, which would have required Woods to play more than 18 holes on Sunday, seemed overly optimistic given his injuries.
Having only played one competitive tournament this season and admitting to playing and practicing less, Woods managed to complete only 14 holes on Saturday before his body could no longer take it.
Even if he had finished four rounds at Augusta, questions about his future would still loom. Woods hinted that this might be his last Masters appearance and acknowledged that he was in "constant" pain during the opening round.
Now, not only do we wonder if Woods will ever attempt to conquer Augusta's hills again, but we also question if he will participate in another major.
At 47, Woods' future is uncertain. While he still generates headlines and remains a huge draw in golf, it's unclear how good he can still be. His past successes, failures, and comebacks are well-known, but what lies ahead is anyone's guess.
Butch Harmon, a Sky Sports analyst, believes Woods will play another major, suggesting the flatter courses of The Open and US Open might be more suitable for him. Harmon noted that he would never count Woods out, as he has continually defied expectations throughout his career.
