Whether or not it’s in the bullpen or a game, even the best Major League Baseball pitchers get put on pitch counts as they age to reduce the chance of injury. The same is true for the best golfer of his generation.
“My practice sessions certainly aren’t what they used to be,” Tiger Woods said today as he prepped for Thursday’s first round of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club. “I used to live on the range and live on the short-game facility. Be out there all day. That’s no longer the case.
“So what’s happening is that I have to be more focused when I do get a chance to get out there and practice. I really grind out and make every shot count because I really don’t have the ‘ball count’ in me anymore.”
But let’s not mistake “ball count’’ for “will to compete.’’ Woods’ legendary fire to compete – and to win – still blazes within the now 48-year-old, who clinched his first Masters at age 21 in 1997.
“This tournament has meant so much to me in my life and my family,’’ Woods said. “I think I’ve played here here 29 years. It was the ultimate to be stay in the Crow’s Nest and be able to watch Byron (Nelson), and Sam (Snead) and Gene (Sarazen) tee off (as honorary starters) on the first hole.
“I won my first major here as a professional and got the hug from my dad. And in 2019 (his most recent Masters victory) I hugged my son. I will always want to keep playing here.’