'He Looked Like The Tiger We Saw Before The Accident' - Horschel Reveals
Speaking at Augusta National, Horschel revealed that players are feeling 'giddy' about Tiger's progress from injury
In February 2021, Tiger Woods was involved in a serious car crash that could have resulted in the possible amputation of his right leg. Now, at the 2022 Masters, he is on the verge of a competitive return and, according to Billy Horschel, Tiger isn't at Augusta National to mess around, with the American stating that: "He looked like the Tiger we saw before the accident."
Speaking to PGA Tour's Sean Martin, Horschel revealed that he had been watching his fellow countryman hit some golf balls on the range, estimating that Tiger was carrying his driver around 290 yards.
"He looked like the Tiger we saw before the accident," stated Horschel. "The way the swing looked and the speed. For him to hopefully be playing – which I think he is – I think we’re all giddy about it."
Billy Horschel watched Tiger hit balls Sunday, and estimates Tiger carried his driver 290."He looked like the Tiger we saw before the accident, the way the swing looked and the speed."For him to hopefully be playing – which I think he is – I think we’re all giddy about it."April 3, 2022
In addition to Horschel, other sources on the ground at Augusta National claimed that Tiger's warm-up on the range lasted around 20 minutes, before he went out to the back nine for a practice round. It is also believed that every shot of Tiger's on the range was flushed, not that we are surprised...
The news is extremely positive, especially after the 46-year-old was seen playing a practice round at Augusta National on Tuesday alongside his son, Charlie, and close friend, Justin Thomas.
After that round, Gary Koch, former PGA Tour player turned Golf Channel analyst and commentator, stated that there's a "good chance" Tiger will tee it up at the Masters, after receiving word from Jim 'Bones' Mackay about the state of the 15-time Major champion's game.
Speaking on the JP Peterson show, Koch said: "I texted with Jim ‘Bones’ Mackay and he said he was impressed by Tiger’s practice round at Augusta. So, I think there’s a good chance he plays."
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His words were echoed by Golf Channel's senior writer, Rex Hoggard, who, speaking on Golf Central's podcast, stated that: “What I’ve heard from people in South Florida - the actual game itself; ball speed, club head speed, it’s all there, it’s all back.”
Now, the only real worry is with Tiger's right leg, with the injury possibly being affected by the undulations around Augusta National's layout. However, seeing as the 15-time Major champion has played a few practice rounds, things look positive, although, he was spotted wearing non-Nike shoes on Sunday. It is unclear as to whether this is related to his injury.
Matt joined Golf Monthly in February 2021 covering weekend news, before also transitioning to equipment and testing. After freelancing for Golf Monthly and The PGA for 18 months, he was offered a full-time position at the company in October 2022 and continues to cover weekend news and social media, as well as help look after Golf Monthly’s many buyers’ guides and equipment reviews.
Taking up the game when he was just seven years of age, Matt made it into his county squad just a year later and continues to play the game at a high standard, with a handicap of around 2-4. To date, his best round came in 2016, where he shot a six-under-par 66 having been seven-under through nine holes. He currently plays at Witney Lakes in Oxfordshire and his favourite player is Rory McIlroy, despite nearly being struck by his second shot at the 17th during the 2015 BMW PGA Championship.
Matt’s current What’s In The Bag?
Driver: Honma TW747, 8.75°
Fairway Wood: TaylorMade Rocketballz Stage 2, 15°, 19°
Hybrid: Adams Super Hybrid, 22°
Irons: Mizuno MP54, 5-PW
Wedges: Cleveland 588 RTX 2.0 Tour Satin, 50°, 56°, 60°
Putter: Cleveland TFI 2135 Satin Cero
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
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