With the first major of the year upon us and five-time Masters champion Woods in the field, exciting has been ramping up all week.Woods has been battling with serious injuries since 2021Woods has been battling with serious injuries since 2021Credit: But thunderstorms, heavy rain and gusty winds in Georgia have forced tournament chiefs to put back the first round tee times.While the worst of the weather has missed Augusta, the showpiece event has had to delay action by two-and-a-half hours which will have plenty of knock on affects.And it’s a bitter blow to Woods.The 48-year-old, who has struggled with back and knee issues for several years now, will get his first round underway at 3:54pm local timeJon Rahm’s champions dinner at The Masters was a nice nod to golf legend Seve BallesterosBrooks Koepka shuts down journalist with savage response to Augusta questionWith sunset in Augusta at 7:56pm on Thursday, it means Woods won’t get his opening round finished.At most, the 15-time major winner will likely be able to complete 12 holes.That will leave him with 24 holes to play on Friday over the notoriously hilly golf course. Should there be more delays or slow play, that number could easily increase.That will put a huge strain on Woods’ fragile body.‘Is it his time? Yes!’ – Mickelson provided this great Masters moment 20 years ago todayAll you need to know ahead of The Masters as Woods returns to Augusta and Rahm defendsEerie omen suggests Ludvig Aberg could become first rookie to win Masters in 45 yearsJon Rahm’s champions dinner at The Masters was a nice nod to golf legend Seve BallesterosWoods was forced to withdraw from the Masters last yearCredit: GettyAdvertisementSir Nick Faldo: My Masters Champions Dinner was iconic but one golfer got it horribly wrongWoods was forced to withdraw from the Masters last year due to his injury problems while he also pulled out of the Genesis early in February.While Woods said earlier this week that he believes he can still win the Masters again, he will also be eyeing the record for the most consecutive cuts made.He equalled that record by making the weekend last year before withdrawing and joined Fred Couples and Gary Player in the record books with 23 straight cuts made.He would love to make it 24 this week and take the record outright but the adverse weather and his bad draw has left him with an uphill task.Bad weather has hit the Masters again this yearCredit: GettyAt Tuesday’s press-conference, Woods insisted he can win a sixth Green Jacket, despite detailing the pain he faces on the vast majority of shots at Augusta National.”If everything comes together, I think I can get one more,” Woods said, adding with a smile: “Do I need to describe that any more than that, or are we good?”On his current physical condition, Woods conceded: “Every shot that’s not on a tee box is a challenge.”The ankle doesn’t hurt anymore. It’s fused. It’s not going anywhere. So that’s fine. It’s other parts of my body that now have to take the brunt of it.This was a different Fury, press conference shows how seriously he is taking UsykPhil Foden given ultimate compliment from Noel Gallagher after Man City heroics”The back, the knee, other parts of the body have to take the load of it and just the endurance capability of walking a long time and being on my feet for a long time is an issue.”Things just flare up. The training that we have to do at home, it changes from a day-to-day basis. Some days I just feel really good and other days not so much. I hurt every day.”
