Woods plays Augusta National practice round, still uncertain for Masters

It’s true: Tiger Woods did play an 18-hole practice round at Augusta National Golf Club on Tuesday.

However, the four-time Masters champion is not yet certain if he’ll play next week in the year’s first major.

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After Woods finished his practice round with two Augusta National members and caddie Joe LaCava, Woods’ agent, Mark Steinberg, maintained a cautious tone.

“Tiger clearly is working hard and he will advise as to when he is ready to play competitively,” said Steinberg in an email to ESPN.com.

Speculation grew on Tuesday that Woods was preparing to compete in the Masters with an Augusta Chronicle report that Woods’ private jet was parked at Augusta Regional Airport. On Monday, Golf World reported Woods had been shooting better scores at his home club, Medalist, in Florida and that observers said Woods had regained the “edge.” Last week, Woods’ friend and former Stanford teammate Notah Begay III said Woods had improved to a “50-50” chance to play the Masters from a 1-in-10 chance earlier in March.

A year ago on March 31, Woods underwent a microdiscectomy procedure on his back to alleviate pain. He then missed the Masters for the first time in his pro career to recuperate. Since the procedure, Woods has made just seven worldwide starts, including pulling out of two tournaments, finishing tied for last in his Hero World Challenge in December and missing the cut at the PGA Championship and Phoenix Open. In Phoenix, Woods shot a career-worst 82 in the second round.

On Feb. 11, Woods announced he was taking a hiatus from competitive golf, saying he wouldn’t play again until his game was “tournament ready.”

Ryan Ballengee is a Yahoo Sports contributor. Find him on Facebook and Twitter.

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