Tiger Woods in line to play in 26th Masters; eyeing cut record - ESPN

AUGUSTA, Ga. — Barring a setback in the next four days, it seems likely that five-time Masters champion Tiger Woods will make his 26th appearance at Augusta National Golf Club this week.

Woods, 48, flew from Stuart, Florida to Augusta on Sunday and spent some time at the club's practice area with his caddie, Lance Bennett. Woods and Bennett worked together at the Genesis Invitational at Riviera Country Club outside Los Angeles in February.

Augusta National Golf Club posted photos of Woods practicing Sunday on its X account.

A Sunday stroll. <a href=«https://twitter.com/hashtag/themasters?src=hash&ref_src=» https:>#themasters

pic.twitter.com/2El1GGM1Fj

It will be the first time Woods and Bennett have worked together at Augusta National. Woods' former caddie, Joe LaCava, who helped him win his fifth green jacket in 2019, is now working as Patrick Cantlay's full-time caddie.

This week, Woods will attempt to set a Masters record by making the cut for the 24th consecutive time. Last year, he made the 36-hole cut and tied Gary Player and Fred Couples but was forced to withdraw before the rain-delayed third round resumed after aggravating plantar fasciitis in his right foot.

In his last start, Woods was forced to withdraw from the Genesis Invitational during the second round because of illness. The 15-time major champion later confirmed that he was battling the flu. Woods also dealt with lower back tightness during that tournament.

Notah Begay III, Woods' former teammate at Stanford and a golf analyst for NBC Sports, said on a conference call last week that Woods was suffering from lower back problems.

«He's trying to formulate a strategy and approach that he can work within given the constraints that he's presented with — and