Tiger Woods sparks speculation of shock return at Masters after Augusta practice round

[{"selector":"#anim-ccb76d82-d33a-43f4-8163-9d6c72eb10dd [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}]

(CNN)Tiger Woods has sparked speculation that he could make a shock return to golf at next week's Masters after it was widely reported that he has played a practice round at Augusta National.

[{"selector":"#anim-7bbdd3cd-085f-498d-b810-5180048c57b8 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}]

The 15-time major champion has not played an official tournament after suffering serious leg injuries in a car crash in February 2021.

[{"selector":"#anim-9aa36415-af18-4371-bc74-0df5ea75fd70 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-63.377333181922346%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}]

However, earlier this week, Woods was named among the 91 starters for the 2022 Masters, which begins on April 7.

[{"selector":"#anim-fd876d30-b233-4936-ac3b-8fbcb9f426c8 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(34.164402077823254%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}]

And on Tuesday, Woods' private jet was reportedly spotted landing at an airport near Augusta, which fueled social media into a frenzy that he could feature at the major.

[{"selector":"#anim-76e1b8e9-0f52-493d-bfec-26987d27615d [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-21.874999829338588%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}]

Rumors were heightened when reports emerged that the five-time Masters winner was playing a practice round at Augusta with his son, Charlie,

[{"selector":"#anim-553f5d6b-f55e-44ae-87f7-7ddb449d1f87 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(34.17329535850963%, 0, 0) translate(25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.14,.34,.47,.9)","fill":"forwards"}]

The PGA Tour even tweeted a photo of Woods swinging a club with the caption: "Tiger Woods is practicing today at Augusta National."

[{"selector":"#anim-7d4bc979-d2a7-413b-80d0-0bb9eb8fc7c8 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-34.179687404002955%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}]

The Augusta course will have provided a stern test for Woods' physical condition due to the distances and elevation changes he'd have had to traverse.

[{"selector":"#anim-c4152376-e6c9-47ac-8a0a-db986ca71441 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(34.20673067339782%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}]

LA Clippers’ Paul George scores 34 in return from 3-month absence

[{"selector":"#anim-46d3be67-ee5e-4036-bd3e-e3899be57937 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Learn more