Tiger Woods press conference: 5-time champ talks injuries, chances to win 2024 Masters

5-time Masters champion Tiger Woods came out confident in a press conference Tuesday to preview the 2024 Masters Tournament in Augusta, Georgia.

Woods told reporters at Augusta National Golf Club he felt he was capable of winning this week despite the challenges of health and limited recent play.

"If everything comes together, I think I can get one more," Woods said.

Woods, 48, has dealt with a litany of injury setbacks in recent years, a reality that brought questions Tuesday regarding his golf mortality.

"I hurt everyday," Woods said. "I ache every day and I prefer it warm, humid and hot. I know we're going to get some thunderstorms this week so at least it will be hot."

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Tiger Woods on injury, health

Woods has stated that his goal was to play golf competitively once a month this season while dealing with a variety of physical ailments, including a surgically-repaired right ankle.

That goal hasn't been met: His most recent outing ended with a withdrawal from the Genesis Invitational in late February due to back spasms.

"Every shot that's not on the tee box is a challenge," Woods said. "Once we start the hole it's a bit of a challenge."

"The body.... The things that just flare up and with the training that we have to do at home, it changes on a daily basis. Some days I feel really good, other days, not so much."

Tiger Woods on chasing Masters record

Woods can set a Masters record this weekend by making the cut for a record 24th consecutive tournament. He's currently tied with Gary Player and Fred Couples for the record (23).

Last year, Woods, 3-over after two rounds, needed late bogeys from Justin Thomas and Sungjae Im to move the cut line from 2-over to 3-over.

He credited his success at Augusta National Golf Club with consistency, longevity and an understanding of the course, which is the only major that's played at the same course each year. Woods said course knowledge is what allows older players to have success, with certain putts form the 90s still rolling the same today.

"You still have to go out and execute, but there's a lot of knowledge that goes into understanding how to play [Augusta National]," Woods said. "Every tee box and green has been changed since I first played, but the overall configuration of how they roll and move, the angles you take, that hasn't changed."

Woods also said his course knowledge was boosted by relationships with other players who've had success at the tournament. He played a practice round with Couples this week.

Tiger Woods odds to win Masters

The Hard Rock Bet sportsbook has Tiger Woods a longshot to win the 2024 Masters Tournament. He is currently tied for 45th-best odds in the field (+15000).

Other odds for Woods include: top 40 finish (-130), four birdies or more in the first round (+115), top 30 finish (+150), five birdies or more in first round (+300), birdie or better on tournament first hole (+750), bogey free round in tournament (+900), and a hole in one in the tournament (+10000).

Woods has the same odds to make the cut (-120) as he does to miss the cut (-120).

Tiger Woods likes Rory McIlroy's chances to win

Woods gave a vote of confidence to fellow major champion Rory McIlroy in Tuesday’s press conference.

McIlroy has won the U.S. Open, Open Championship and the PGA Championship but never the Masters Tournament, the last major between McIlroy and a career grand slam.

“There’s no question he’ll do it at some point. He’s just too talented, too good. He’s going to be playing this event for a very long time. He’ll get it done and it’s just a matter of when.

“Rory will be a great Masters champion one day. It could be this week. You never know.”

Tiger Woods tee time with Jason Day, Max Homa

The 15-time major champion will have an afternoon tee time of 1:24 p.m. in a grouping with Jason Day and Max Homa for Thursday's first round.

Is Tiger Woods a member at Augusta?

While Tiger Woods is not a member of Augusta National Golf Club, Jack Nicklaus and John Harris are the only pro golfers that are members, he nonetheless values the course considerably.

"This tournament has meant so much in my life and to my family. I think I've been playing here for 29 years now. It was the ultimate to be able to stay in the 'Crow's Nest' and watch Byron (Jones), Sam and Gene tee off on the first hole.

"It's been a part of my life to win here for my first major as a pro. Hugging my dad as you saw. Then full circle in 2019 hugging my son. It's meant a lot to my family and me."

Eric J. Wallace is deputy sports editor for The Palm Beach Post. He can be reached at ejwallace@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Tiger Woods press conference at the Masters: Odds to win, injury updates