Multiple Masters champ with Tiger Woods claim: "I will try and ask"

Multiple Masters champion Sir Nick Faldo says he'll try and ask Tiger Woods about his retirement plans as he gave his verdict on how the 15-time major winner will fare at at Augusta National this week. 

Faldo, 66, had quite a lot to say when he spoke to GolfMagic before the first major of the year. 

The decorated golfer does not believe overwhelming Masters favourite Scottie Scheffler is Woods' heir. 

And he also revealed the reason why he does not want Jon Rahm to defend his green jacket. 

Three-time Masters champion Faldo also gave his thoughts on how Rory McIlroy will get on. 

Related:

• Why Tiger Woods' legendary coach wanted him to miss Masters cut
• Tiger Woods' caddie for The Masters has just been confirmed

Understandably, there is also quite quite a lot of intrigue as to how Woods, now 48, will fare in his 26th Masters outing. 

He has only played once on the PGA Tour this year despite previously declaring he was targeting a busier schedule. 

That event, the Genesis Invitational in February, saw Woods withdraw early in the second round with the flu. 

There are rumours that despite being 'pain-free' in his surgically-repaired right ankle, he is struggling more than ever with lower back pain. 

Woods previously said his back was in spasm when he hit an uncharacteristic shank at Riviera in February. 

The living golf legend will likely contend he is only at Augusta National to win. 

But in truth making his 24th cut in a row at Augusta could be viewed as a victory in and of itself. 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by 𝗚𝗼𝗹𝗳𝗠𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗰.𝗰𝗼𝗺 (@golfmagic)

"You know, I mean, he’s an amazing man," Faldo said of Woods. 

"Obviously, you have to admire his mental strength to keep going; you know, he wants to get back out there, you know, last year, he was in a real mess, wasn’t he? 

"It’s a physical battle. Many people just think oh yeah, you just get your foot severed off, sow it back on and off you go again. 

"I don’t think that happens in life, does it?

"He’s done unbelievably well to come back and be giving it a go, but I personally I think that physically, even if he was mega fit and everything and none of this, you know, he’s just turned 48, if we’re talking about getting old in golf and not performing and then he plays twice a year, that’s very difficult to tee it up again."

So what about Woods' future?

"I don’t think that Tiger will give in, I don't know when he will give in," Faldo added.  

"Many many other men would give in, I don’t know, but I will try and ask him."

The Masters will be available on Sky Sports Golf and via a NOW subscription from 11th – 14th April, and you can follow all the latest news on Sky Sports social and digital channels throughout the week.

Read next:

• Which LIV golfers will be at the Masters?