The Masters: Tiger Woods begins his battle to make the cut at Augusta National

Tiger Woods stalled in his fight to make the cut at The Masters on Friday afternoon at Augusta National.

Georgia’s undulating course seemed to take its toll on the 47-year-old on his opening lap on Thursday, leaving him with work to do to get through the weekend.

The five-time winner made his 25th Masters appearance at his beloved Augusta National, playing in the tournament for the second time since his horrific car accident in February 2021, after miraculously returning to the track in Georgia last year.

The patrons had flocked to the first tee as the 47-year-old stepped forward looking like he meant it in anticipation of his quest to bounce back.

Woods had stumbled to fall far back on his playing partners, Viktor Hovland and Xander Schauffele, with the talented young Norwegian taking part of the lead overnight on day one.

The five-time winner had work to do after an opening round of two overs

The 15-time grand winner made his 25th Masters appearance in his beloved Augusta

There was a brief glimmer of hope on Thursday 15th and 16th after Woods sank back-to-back birdies.

But his surgically reconstructed leg finally caused problems at 18 when he was forced to play his second from right next to a fairway bunker and had to put his right foot in the sand for balance.

It was almost as if an electric shock went through his leg and he kept hopping on his left foot in the sand, keeping his injured right foot in the air.

Left in the greenside bunker, a 7-yard par putt sailed past and Woods’ round was destined to end at two-over with a bogey.

Woods admitted on Tuesday that this year’s tournament could be his last at the Masters.

The 15-time major winner, who has previously admitted his play will be limited to the four majors and possibly a few other tournaments, hinted that this year could be his last walk down Magnolia Lane.

“I don’t know how many I have left in me,” the five-time Masters winner said during his pre-tournament press conference on Tuesday. “Just to appreciate the time and cherish the memories.

“I’m very lucky to have the leg. Mobility and endurance – it will never be the same in the future. I can’t prepare and play as many tournaments as I would like, but that’s okay and I’m okay with it.’

The 47-year-old looked like he meant business ahead of his quest to bounce back

Woods played alongside Viktor Hovland, who had part of the lead overnight

Woods examines his ball after finding the left edge of the fairway at first

Woods wipes his face in the tacky Georgia weather Friday afternoon at Augusta National

Woods last competed on the PGA Tour in February at the Genesis Invitational at the Riviera Country Club, where he posted a four under 67 in the final round, his lowest score in the competition since returning from his horrific car accident .

Woods made his miraculous return at last year’s Masters just 14 months after the single-vehicle accident that left him with significant injuries to his right leg.

Despite Augusta’s inclines, the five-time Masters winner fought through leg pain and stiffness to remarkably make the cut.

He finished 47th after consecutive 6-over 78s on the weekend, which were his worst scores at the Masters.

Despite his sensational return, Woods’ competitive appearances were limited until 2022.

Woods completed just nine rounds in 2022 due to complications surrounding the limb-threatening injuries he suffered in his car accident last year.

Before the Genesis Invitational, Woods had not won a tournament by a cut since The Open last July.

He missed the cut at the 150th Open Championship at the historic Old Course in St Andrews, but had made it through the weekend at the PGA Championship before being forced to retire after 54 holes.

He was additionally forced to withdraw from the Hero World Challenge in December, citing plantar fasciitis, but he played alongside son Charlie at the PNC Championship later that month, where he was allowed to use a golf cart.

After the Riviera event, Woods reiterated his intention to compete in all four majors this year, body permitting, but will limit other appearances.

“I’m not going to play more than probably the majors and a few more… that’s it, that’s all my body will allow me to do,” Woods said in Riviera. ‘My back as it is, all the operations on my back, my leg as it is. I just can not. That’s just going to be my future.

“So my goal last year was to play in all four majors, I made it through three of the four. Hopefully I can get all four this year and maybe sprinkle a few here and there. But that’s it for the rest of my career. I know that and I understand that. That’s just my reality.’