The absence of golf’s celebrated figure, Tiger Woods, from this year’s Masters Tournament is attributed to the recent loss of his mother, Kultida Woods, a tragedy which has left him deeply affected.
A five-time champion of the prestigious event and widely considered among the greatest golfers of all time, Woods was not present for the customary Champions Dinner that marked the beginning of the tournament earlier this week. Sources close to the athlete indicate his decision to forgo both occasions stems from a desire to honor the Masters’ traditions and avoid becoming a distraction.
According to reports, Woods is currently focused on grieving the loss of his mother and wishes to keep his personal life separate from the spotlight. His recent public announcement regarding his relationship with Vanessa Trump, previously married to Donald Trump Jr., further contributed to this decision. An insider stated:
“The Masters is all about tradition and not to parade an agenda or your new girlfriend.”
Another source emphasized Woods’s desire to steer clear of unnecessary attention, particularly given his current absence from the competition.
“He saw the media brouhaha when it came out that he and Vanessa were dating, and he didn’t want to bring that to Augusta. It would become a sideshow, and Tiger now tries to avoid as many circuses as possible.”
The golf legend’s future remains uncertain due to ongoing physical challenges following years of injury setbacks.
Despite these difficulties, legendary golfer Jack Nicklaus expressed optimism about Woods’s return. He stated:
“Tiger is hurt. I think Tiger will get well and Tiger will be back and play.”
Nicklaus predicts that upon reaching age 50 next year, Woods may transition to the Senior Tour where he anticipates continued dominance fueled by his competitive spirit.
- Nicklaus believes Woods’s motivation isn’t financial but driven by a love of competition.
- He expressed confidence in Woods’ ability to overcome obstacles, citing his previous triumphs.
Nicklaus concluded:
“Tiger will play for competition. He loves competition, and he’s very good at it, obviously.”
