Tiger Woods plays practice round at Augusta to test fitness ahead of Masters


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Tiger Woods raised hopes that he could compete at next week's Masters after the 15-time major champion played a practice round at Augusta National on Tuesday to test his fitness ahead of the tournament, according to reports.

Both ESPN and Sports Illustrated said Woods flew to and from Georgia on his private jet to see how well he could walk the hilly layout only 13 months after suffering severe leg injuries in a California automobile accident. He was joined in the practice round by son Charlie and close friend, and world No 7, Justin Thomas.

The year's first major golf event will be played April 7-10 at Augusta National, where Woods has captured five of his 15 major titles, including his most recent in 2019.

Woods suffered severe right leg injuries in a car crash in February 2021, saying later he was lucky to survive the mishap and fortunate to still have both legs. While saying he plans to return to tournament play on a limited basis, the former world No 1 has given no timetable for when he might next play competitively.

Reports of Woods's arrival sparked speculation that the 46-year-old American could make his comeback on the same Augusta National layout where he last played in a PGA event in November 2020 after Covid-19 delayed the tournament from April.

Woods won the 2019 Masters title, his first major crown in 11 years, since winning the 2008 US Open in a playoff with a broken leg. The Masters victory capped a Woods fightback from multiple back surgeries that had Woods wondering if he might ever have a pain-free life much less golf again.

Woods was hospitalised for weeks and struggling to walk for months after the 2021 crash. He has rehabilitated his legs simply to be able to walk, much less a return to playing form. But there was a sense that Woods would not have tested his ability to walk the course if he wasn't confident in his shotmaking skills around the layout.

Since the accident, Woods has played in a family event alongside Charlie and been inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame.

On the Masters website, Woods remains on a list of players who are qualified for next week as a past champion, rather than on a list of non-playing past champions.

Woods definitely plans to be in Augusta next week to attend the Masters Champions Dinner on April 5.

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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Kaala

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The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

Rooney's club record

At Everton Appearances: 77; Goals: 17

At Manchester United Appearances: 559; Goals: 253

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Power: 190bhp

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Flights from Dubai start at Dh4,000 return with Emirates, while Etihad flights from Abu Dhabi start at Dh2,000. Local buses can be booked in Chiang Mai from around Dh50

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The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.

A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.

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Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
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The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

War and the virus
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Gremio Everton 95’

The biog

Name: Sari Al Zubaidi

Occupation: co-founder of Cafe di Rosati

Age: 42

Marital status: single

Favourite drink: drip coffee V60

Favourite destination: Bali, Indonesia 

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Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction

Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.

Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.

Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.

Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.

Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.

What are the guidelines?

Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.

Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.

Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.

Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.

Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.

Source: American Paediatric Association
Updated: March 30, 2022, 8:54 AM`