With so many to choose from, Tiger Woods is hard pressed to single out his favorite memory from the 2019 Masters.
Nearly acing the 16th in the final round. The last putt on Sunday. Coming from behind to win a major for the first time. The triumphant walk from the 18th to the clubhouse. Slipping on the green jacket for the fifth time.
There are so many more.
But having his two kids there – daughter Sam and son Charlie – is at the top of the list. And the plane ride back home wasn’t bad.
“Just watching them fight over the green jacket on the airplane was pretty funny,” Woods said Tuesday in a conference call. “‘I want to wear it; no, I want to wear it.’ That’s something I certainly will never forget.”
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The kids flew up from Florida the day of the final round, watched their dad plot his way around the course en route to his 15th major title, and were waiting for him just off the back of the 18th when he closed out the victory. Charlie was the first to greet Woods after he knocked in his tournament-winning two-footer and shared a big bear hug. As did Sam.
“I think what made it so special is that they saw me fail the year before at the British Open,” said Woods, who tied for sixth in the 2018 Open at Carnoustie after taking the lead into the back nine on Sunday. “So to have them experience what it feels like to be part of a major championship and watch their dad fail and not get it done, and now to be a part of it when I did get it done, I think it’s two memories that they will never forget.
“And the embraces and the hugs and the excitement, because they know how I felt and what it felt like when I lost at Carnoustie. To have the complete flip with them in less than a year, it was very fresh in their minds.”
While the memories will remain fresh in his mind for days, weeks and years to come, Woods turned his focus to his upcoming title defense last December after his successful duties as a playing captain in the Presidents Cup in Australia.
“Once that was done, my prep has been just like it usually is. It’s, what do I need to do to get ready for the Masters?” Woods said. “I’ve been fortunate to have done this now five times, and to try and have everything peak together for just an incredible week, it’s hard to do.
“It’s hard to try and get all the shots and have everything dialed in.”
Woods, however, did not disclose what route he’ll follow to get to Magnolia Lane.
He chose not to play the past two weeks since finishing last among those who made the cut in the Genesis Invitational. He bypassed the World Golf Championships-Mexico Championship, citing back stiffness, and this week’s Honda Classic near his Florida home.
Last year, Woods finished in a tie for 10th in Mexico, which was one of five tournaments he played leading into the Masters. This year, he’s played twice – a tie for ninth in the Farmers Insurance Open and his last-place showing in the Genesis.
Woods, ranked No. 10 in the world, could play in next week’s Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill, where he’s won a record eight titles. The following week is The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass, the Tour’s flagship event he’s won twice. Two weeks later is the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play. Two weeks later is the Masters.
In 2019, Woods played the Farmers, Genesis, Mexico Championship, The Players and the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play heading to Augusta. He also was scheduled to play the Arnold Palmer Invitational but withdrew with a neck injury.
“The plan is to prepare the same way,” he said. “It worked last year, so yeah, I’ve got a blueprint for what I need to do and hopefully I can have the same feelings.”
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