Woods, now 48, was 21 in 1997 when he became the youngest Masters winner in history. The athlete has competed in 25 Masters throughout his career, last winning in 2019.

“The Masters is Tiger’s must-play event every year,” Woods’ pal told the New York Post. “He’s working very hard, spending hours in the gym, practicing, taking care of himself. He wants to play, and he always plays to win.”Tiger Woods of the United States tees off the second hole during a pro-am prior to The Genesis Invitational at Riviera Country Club on February 14, 2024 in Pacific Palisades, California. Woods is currently abstaining… HARRY HOW/GETTY IMAGES

The revelation of Woods’ celibacy comes 15 years after his highly publicized 𝑠e𝑥 scandal, during which it was revealed that he had cheated on his then-wife, Elin Nordegren. (More than 10 women came forward alleging affairs with Woods, who shares daughter Sam and son Charlie with Nordegren.) Woods later reflected on the scandal, during which he reportedly went to a treatment center for 𝑠e𝑥 addiction, in his 2017 memoir, Tiger Woods – Unprecedented, The Masters and Me.

“My regret will last a lifetime,” he wrote of the tumultuous time in his life. “Still, Elin and I are devoted to our kids, and we have become best friends as we care for them. It’s all about the kids for us.”

Woods’ personal life has only made more headlines in recent years. In 2021, he was involved in a serious, single-car accident that severely injured his legs. The crash nearly cost the golfer his life. Two years later, his ex-girlfriend Erica Herman — who dated Woods for several years until 2022 — filed a lawsuit against the athlete, alleging that she was unfairly kicked out of their Florida home, which he denied. She later dropped the suit.