Tiger Woods at Masters 2018: Golf stars past and present assess his chances at Augusta National

Tiger Woods alongside caddie Joe LaCava
Getty Images

Tiger Woods is back at Augusta, and the excitement is more than palpable, with the opening tee shot of his Monday practice round met with cheers akin to those heard by the final group on a Sunday.

The 42-year-old has four Masters wins to his name, but has not made an appearance at the tournament since a tie for 17th place in 2015 having undergone multiple back surgeries.

However, after his much anticipated return to the PGA Tour, which has seen him in contention on recent Sunday’s has him as a surprise favourite for the Green Jacket this year.

But what do his peers make of his chances at Augusta National?

Paul McGinley

"I think we are jumping the gun a little bit too much to be make his favourite. To be labelled as a favourite is unfair odds on Tiger.

Photo: Getty Images
Getty Images

"I do think he will contend next week but to go from where he's been to winning a Major Championship, and in such a short space of time since returning to full-time competition, and also given the quality of players around him I would be very, very surprised if he were to win but I do, at the same time, expect him to contend."

Nick Faldo

“Does he have the nerve? He's certainly loving the opportunity, healthy enough to compete with the best of them.

"He's right in the mix. It's been 10 years since his last major win though.

“It would be unbelievable. But does he have the nerve?"

Steve Stricker

“He’s looking good, he feels good, he’s talking good about his game and himself and how he feels. So it’s exciting to see, it really is. He’s walking with a bounce in his step like he did when he was out here kicking everybody’s butt.

“So it wouldn’t surprise me one bit if he wins again this year. It could be next time at Augusta, who knows? He likes that spot."

Fred Couples

"He's doing well.

Photo: Getty Images
Getty Images

"If you watched him play today [Monday], there's not much of a back problem. He's hitting it a long way, and it looks beautiful.

"Today wasn't any different than it was 10 years ago when we played. It was pretty awesome."

Rickie Fowler

"It's fun to see him back healthy enjoying playing the game of golf.

"Obviously he knows how to win, he's not scared when he's in the situation of in contention on the weekends.

"It's great for the game to have him back. I think you can see the Tiger effect in plenty of the tournaments that he's been at, from ticket sales to the amount of people viewing on TV.

"We'll see it this week. I would love to see him play well, just hopefully I can play a little bit better."

And the man himself?

Tiger Woods

"I'm looking forward to it,” Woods said.

“I miss playing there, I've been there for the dinner and as great as that is, it's frustrating knowing that I'm, I would have to say, young enough to play the event, where some of the other champions are not.

“I just have not been able to physically do it, which is difficult.

"I've had a lot of success there, too, so really looking forward to getting up there and doing a bit of work and getting a feel for the golf course and basically feel for playing that style of golf again."

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