WATCH: What chance does Tiger Woods have at this week’s Masters?

• How much does Tiger Woods mean to golf?
• Rating his latest extraordinary comeback

In February 2021, Tiger Woods’ golf career appeared to be in serous jeopardy after suffering a severe leg injury in a car crash.

Fast forward to this year’s 2022 Masters tournament, and swirling speculation if he would play. On Tuesday, he made the announcement during a question-and-answer session that he feels he’s going to tee it up.

Woods’ impact has been significant on the game of golf and has seen better instruction and facilities around the world to help elevate the general interest, according to a local pro.

“When Tiger plays, TV ratings go up. Golf ball sales go up. Golf club sales, you name it,” teaching professional at the Kelowna Driving Range, Steve Lawrence, told Kelowna10.

“Golf is still popular even if Tiger isn’t playing, but I think it gets a boost when he’s on the leaderboard or playing. There isn’t somebody like Tiger Woods dominating the game that gives that intimidation factor like Tiger did.”

Lawrence said Tiger now faces the biggest test of his career.

“You never want to bet against Tiger Woods but in this circumstance, I think it would be difficult for him to win this. But if he contends, it would be amazing,” he said. “You take the greatest player in the history of the game and put him in an underdog situation trying to defy the odds yet again, it’s going to be really captivating to watch.”

The Augusta course has uneven lies and many elevation changes on every hole, which can put a lot of stress on a golfer’s legs.

Lawrence credited the amount of perseverance Woods had to go through just to get back onto the course and go straight into the biggest tournament of the year.

“Not many athletes would really take this challenge on, coming right out of the accident and injuries straight into Augusta he hasn’t even played a tour event yet,” he said. “Not many athletes can handle the expectations of the world on their shoulders and not crumble but Tiger Woods is one of the few who can.”

Woods first won The Masters on April 13, 1997, and has won it four more times since, including a remarkable 2019 victory.

The 86th Masters Tournament will be played at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, from April 7-10.