For the primary time in years, Tiger Woods is notably absent from Augusta Nationwide-not solely from the competitors, but additionally from the annual Masters champions dinner.
The 15-time main champion, who just lately underwent surgical procedure to restore a torn Achilles tendon, opted out of the celebrated gathering hosted by 2023 champion Scottie Scheffler.
Whereas his absence from the course was anticipated, his determination to skip the dinner party caught many unexpectedly.
The champions dinner, a long-standing Masters custom, came about Tuesday evening with 35 residing former winners invited to attend. Among the many three no-shows had been Vijay Singh, Sandy Lyle, and Woods. Whereas Singh and Lyle have supplied no public reasoning, a brand new report from the Each day Mail sheds mild on Woods’ selection.
Based on sources near the scenario, Woods made the decision to steer clear of Augusta to keep away from turning into a media distraction.
“[Woods] needed to respect the occasion and never overshadow anybody else along with his presence,” the Each day Mail reported.
Grief, restoration and newfound romance
Past his concern for preserving the sanctity of the occasion, Woods is claimed to nonetheless be grappling with the February demise of his mom, Kultida Woods. Her passing was a major blow for the 48-year-old golfer, who has credited her as one of many cornerstones of his life and profession.
On high of his private loss, Woods can also be coping with elevated public curiosity surrounding his new relationship with Vanessa Trump-the ex-wife of Donald Trump Jr. and mom to 5 of former President Trump’s grandchildren. The couple went public final month following weeks of hypothesis, and the media consideration that adopted has solely added to the golfer’s want for privateness.
“He noticed the media brouhaha when it got here out that he and Vanessa had been courting, and he did not wish to carry that to Augusta,” a supply informed the Each day Mail. “It will grow to be a sideshow, and Tiger now tries to keep away from as many circuses as attainable.”
