[Golf Topic] 'Masters No-Show' Woods "I Want to Attend the Champions Dinner"

2019 champion Tiger Woods (left) is seen putting the green jacket on Dustin Johnson right after his Masters victory last year.

[Asia Economy Reporter No Woo-rae] ○…"Missing the Champions Dinner."

These are the words of the 'Golf Emperor' Tiger Woods (USA). On the 7th (Korean time), he posted on his social media (SNS), "I want to go to the Champions Dinner hosted by Dustin Johnson (USA) today," adding, "It's my favorite night of the year." In February, near Los Angeles, California, he was involved in a car accident where his vehicle overturned, severely injuring both legs. After undergoing surgery, he has been receiving treatment at his home in Florida.

He will not be able to participate in the 'Masters,' the prestigious tournament opening on the night of the 8th at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, USA. This marks his fourth absence following 2014, 2016, and 2017. It is also the second time since 2014 that he has missed the 'Champions Dinner,' which invites past champions the day before the tournament starts. Although he missed the tournaments in 2016 and 2017 due to injury, he attended the Champions Dinner those years.

World No. 2 Justin Thomas (USA) shared an update on Woods in an interview. "Woods is disappointed that he cannot join us for practice rounds here, and we are equally disappointed," he said, adding, "Woods is gradually adapting to treatment at home." Fred Couples (USA) also posted a photo on SNS wearing a tiger-striped mask, expressing regret that "the Masters without Woods is different from before."