However you want to describe Woods’ 2024 showing, the numbers behind it make disturbing reading. With a closing round of 77, the now 48-year-old, who has surely played the best golf the world has yet seen, finished 16-over par for the 72-holes he and the rest of us endured, his much-analysed physical condition clearly deteriorating in front of our eyes.

There is no pleasure to be had from any of the above, even if many “Woods-haters” will vicariously see this agonising process as golf’s revenge for the often self-inflicted off-course scandals Tiger has been part of over the years. Which is fine to an extent. He has been his own worst enemy at times and deserving of criticism. But too often that second-hand glee has shamefully had more to do with Woods’ skin colour than his lifestyle and behaviour.

Whatever, we are clearly getting close to the end. While the long-time world no. 1 remains capable of hitting just about any shot you care to mention, his body is breaking down and has been the issue ever since his notorious - and still largely unexplained - car crash in February 2021. Which is why it has been the dominant topic at every one of Tiger’s interactions with the press this week. And, to be fair, he has been honest, even if ultimately a little delusional, in response to the many questions.

Like many others across the weekend, Tiger Woods found trouble on the ninth at the 88th Masters. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Here is what he has had to say:

PRE-TOURNAMENT

“We work each and every day, whether it's trying to loosen me up or strengthen me or just recovery. My practice sessions certainly aren't what they used to be. I used to live on the range or live on a short game facility and just be out there all day. That's no longer the case. So I just have to be more focused on when I do get a chance to go out there and practise and really grind out and make every shot count because I just really don't have the ball count in me anymore.

“As far as my physicality on certain shots, every shot that's not on a tee box is a challenge. So, yeah, once we start the hole, it's a bit of a challenge. Things just flare up. Some days I just feel really good, and other days, not so much. The ankle doesn't hurt anymore. It's fused. It's not going anywhere. So that's fine. It is other parts of my body that now have to take the brunt of it.

“If everything comes together, I think I can get one (green jacket) more. I still think I can. I haven't got to the point where I don't think I can. But yes, I hurt every day. I ache every day.”

END OF DAY ONE
(One-under par through 13 holes): “The body is okay. But we've got some work to do tonight.”

END OF DAY TWO
(One-over par): “I have a chance going into the weekend. I'm here. I have a chance to win the golf tournament. Just need some food and some caffeine, and I'll be good to go. I'm right there. I'm only eight back as of right now. I'm tired. I've been out for a while, competing, grinding. It's been a long 23 holes; a long day. I really did some good fighting today, and we've got a chance.”

END OF DAY THREE
(11-over par): “I was not hitting it very good or putting well. I didn't have a very good warmup session, and I kept it going all day today. Just hit the ball in all the places that I know I shouldn't hit it. And I missed a lot of putts. Easy, makable putts. I missed a lot of them. It's just that I haven't competed and played much. When I had chances to get it flipped around, I just got it going the wrong way. Yesterday did wear me out physically. My team will get me ready. It will be a long night and a long warmup session, but we'll be ready.”

END OF DAY FOUR
(16-over par): “This is a golf course I knew going into it, so I'm going to do my homework going forward at Pinehurst, Valhalla and Troon, but that's kind of the game plan. I’ll just keep lifting, keep the motor going, keep the body moving, keep getting stronger, keep progressing. Hopefully the practice sessions will keep getting longer.

“It was a good week. It was a good week all around. I think that coming in here, not having played a full tournament in a very long time, it was a good fight on Thursday and Friday. Unfortunately, yesterday it didn't quite turn out the way I wanted it to.”

So, is this the end? Woods doesn’t seem to think so. As his comments this week illustrate, he is adhering to the tired mantra that he will continue to play as long as he thinks he can still win. Well, news flash, that is clearly not the case now. He’s done with finishing first, or even contending. Yes, he can still hit the shots, but his much-injured body is failing him. 

The hope here is that he will quietly take some time to contemplate the future, then formally announce his competitive days are over. There is no shame in that. Indeed, it is the right thing to do. There surely cannot be any widespread desire to watch more of what we saw this week. Woods’ playing legacy deserves better than that.

Besides, there is a bigger and more important question to ponder (hopefully) sooner rather than later: Once he is gone, what will professional golf be without Tiger Woods?