Tiger Woods won’t roar at Augusta

Tiger Woods. Pic/Getty Images

Severe leg injuries in a February car crash ensured Tiger Woods won't be playing in this year's Masters on the 20th anniversary of his "Tiger Slam" victory at Augusta National.

But the superstar, 45, whose 15 major titles include five Masters green jackets, will have his legacy felt across the famed layout. Woods is recovering at home in Florida after suffering serious injuries when his car flew off the road and flipped several times during the Southern California accident. Hours of surgery were required to repair his shattered lower right leg and ankle, including a rod inserted into his tibia and the use of screws and pins to stabilize the joint.

Woods, who won his most recent major at the 2019 Masters, became the first black golfer to win a major title when he captured the 1997 Masters in record fashion. On Thursday, the Masters will pay tribute to the first black golfer to play in the event when Lee Elder hits a ceremonial tee shot alongside usual honorary starters Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player.

"Lee was a pioneer. He was the one that broke the colour barrier here and paved the way for players of colour like myself to be able to play this event," Woods said about Elder. "It's ironic that he did it in ‘75, I was born in ‘75, and when I won in ‘97, he was on the back of the green. To have him as our Honorary Starter, it's awfully special and important in the history of the event, but also for me personally, it's probably even more special."

But his most amazing golf feat was likely the "Tiger Slam" when he won the 2000 US and British Opens and PGA Championship and then added the 2001 Masters to capture four major trophies in a row.

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