Tiger Woods' response to ridiculous Hole 18 farce at the Masters sums him up

Tiger Woods returned to the Masters this year and on Friday broke the record for most cuts made in a row - but it wasn't easy for the five-time green jacket winner

Tiger Woods stood on the 18th green of Augusta National on Friday afternoon, having completed the most gruelling 23 holes of golf.

His body would not have experienced anything like that in a long time.

Like many others, Woods was forced to finish his first round on Friday morning, after storms hit Augusta and forced tee times to be pushed back the day before. The weather, though, was worse on the second day. Howling winds burst through Augusta causing carnage. Rory McIlroy's round took six hours while shots were dropped all over Augusta National. It was brutal.

Woods arguably got the best of it, going out earlier, but the task of walking and playing 23 holes was still an enormous ask of his body. Aside from being 48, he's had back fusion surgery, ankle fusion surgery, and nearly lost a leg in a 2021 car crash.

When he walks it looks mechanical. When he bends over it looks stiff. And his face is one that masks pain, he says, he is forced to deal with every single day.

So to be stood on the 18th green 1-over for the tournament is not just an incredible feat. It's a borderline miracle. Woods didn't need to make the putt to make the cut and seal the record, he could have two or three-putted. But for par, Woods would not have wanted to drop another shot. No way.

And so as he lined up his four-footer the only thing that could make the whole thing even more ridiculous was the weather. Three times winds blew sand up out of the green-side bunkers. Three times Woods had to step away from his putt and cover his face. And three times Woods had to compose himself up against this spring farce.

Eventually, the wind briefly changed from gust to breeze and Woods was able to take his putt. He sunk it. Of course he did. And he finished 1-over to make the cut and break the Masters record of reaching the third round 24 straight times.

Woods has not played four rounds of competitive golf for 15 months. His only event in 2024 ended in withdrawal. And so how, you might ask, how on earth is he still standing there with the bottle to hole out?

Because this is Tiger Woods we're talking about. The man who won 15 majors. A winner who came back from an horrific car crash to win the Masters. And someone who, in his own words, 'just loves golf'.

Regardless of his horror round on Saturday, and whatever else happens at this year's Masters, he will never get enough credit - and certainly no trophy - for the frankly ridiculous feat he achieved on Friday.