Don't Expect Too Much From Tiger at Masters Warns Former Champion

FORMER Masters champion Ian Woosnam believes that Tiger Woods will struggle at Augusta this week. The 15-time major champion announced that we will compete after recovering from leg injuries sustained in a horrific car crash 14 months ago.

Excitement is at fever pitch as the 46-year-old prepares to defy the odds yet again. But Woosnam has warned us not to expect too much.

The Welshman said: “He still looks like he is struggling a little bit. People have to remember how difficult it is to walk around Augusta - even if you’re feeling fit it’s a hard walk.”

He also believes there could be a strong European challenge. Woosnam said: “Rory McIlroy, Tyrrell Hatton and Matthew Fitzpatrick are all great players. If you drive it down and drive it well, which is one of McIlroy’s benefits, it should suit him down to the ground.

“McIlroy this year has been struggling with his irons a little bit and you really need to be a good iron player at Augusta and get that ball into the right position. If you don’t do that you’ll struggle to two-put and hole the longer puts to keep you in contention.

“Hatton and Fitzpatrick are very steady and are good putters so it’ll be interesting to see how they get on.”

(Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography)

He also believes that Norway’s Viktor Hovland will contend. “He will be at the top for many years,” said Woosnam. "I love the way Hovland plays.

“He’s a bit of a fader but Jack Nicklaus did alright didn’t he?” 

The announcement that Woods will be playing has taken the spotlight off Bryson DeChambeau, who has had his own injury struggles, but Woosnam believes that if DeChambeau gets it right he could win.

Woosnam said: “Bryson hasn’t played much golf. If he can go as far as he hits the ball and gets it right he can actually make Augusta look very ordinary.

“When Tiger won in 1997 he hit four over par on the front nine then all of a sudden he won the tournament. It just shows that length is a massive benefactor if you can hit it far, because you can go in with shorter irons the whole time.”

Woosnam was speaking on behalf of BoyleSports Golf Betting.