Tiger Woods' Masters prospects

— -- The Masters is less than 10 days away, and Tiger Woods' status for the year's first major championship remains a mystery.

His last public comments on the matter came via his website nearly three weeks ago when he announced he was not ready to play the Arnold Palmer Invitational but also said "I hope to be ready for the Masters, and I will continue working hard to prepare for Augusta."

Last week, his longtime friend, Notah Begay -- who has spent time with Woods and seen him play -- put his status for the Masters at "50-50" which was higher than he would have put it a few weeks prior, but still left plenty of room for the four-time major champion to take a pass.

"If he is not injured, how could he miss this?" wondered defending champion Bubba Watson last week.

Watson's is just one of many questions surrounding Woods as the Masters approaches.

When must Woods commit to the Masters if he intends to play?

There is no deadline. Unlike a regular PGA Tour event, which has a Friday deadline to make official a player's commitment to the next week's tournament, the Masters is an invitational. Woods has a lifetime pass because he has won the event, and he is only required to register before teeing off in the first round. The Masters does not have alternates, so he would not be affecting anyone else in the field, other than perhaps those he might be grouped with for the first two rounds.

Would he wait until the last minute to show up and play?

That is unlikely. Courtesy suggests he will give tournament officials some indication so they can prepare tee times with or without him. And Woods is not likely to want to become the story early in the week, especially if he is not playing. It is only a guess, but the expectation is Woods will announce a decision at some point this week.

Is this about injury or his game?

Woods said in his Feb. 11 statement about taking time away from competitive golf that the lower back stiffness that forced him out of the Farmers Insurance Open on Feb. 5 was not related to his back surgery from a year ago. After shooting an 82 in Phoenix and having myriad short-game problems, Woods said his game was in need of repair. "My play, and scores, are not acceptable for tournament golf," he said. "Like I've said, I enter a tournament to compete at the highest level, and when I think I'm ready, I'll be back."

How can he not be ready by now?

It was an ominous sign when Woods decided not to play at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, a tournament he has won eight times. If he didn't feel comfortable at Bay Hill, the theory goes, how bad must it be? Certainly Woods had to be shocked by his poor form at Phoenix and Torrey Pines after returning this year, seemingly with confidence, only to look so lost. And don't forget, not only was he having to overcome inactivity but he's been working on a new golf swing with instructor Chris Como. This Thursday marks eight weeks since his last competitive golf.

How much has Woods been practicing?

It is impossible to know for sure, but indications are Woods has been putting in the time. That is what he implied in his last statement, and his agent, Mark Steinberg, made similar comments. Begay has spent time practicing with Woods. And there have been numerous secondhand reports out of The Medalist -- where Woods is a member in South Florida -- of him practicing and playing often.

How likely would it be for Woods to return at the Masters and contend?

That is a stretch. Just returning at all is a big question at this point. Whenever he does come back, it will be his first competitive round since Feb. 5. This would be his longest layoff before a major championship since 2010, when he didn't play all year after his self-induced personal leave. Woods, amazingly, tied for fourth at the Masters that year, having opened the tournament with a 68 amid intense scrutiny. But his game was different then. It was a long layoff, but he had won seven times worldwide in 2009, including his last start in December. He was still ranked No. 1 in the world. Now, Woods has dropped to 104th -- the lowest since 1996.

Just how bad was his game again when last we saw him?

Over two days in Phoenix, Woods made a triple-bogey, three doubles and 10 bogeys. For half of his 36 holes, he had a score of 5 or higher. He missed 18 greens and saved par just five times. He shot a career-worst 82. Then the next week, in San Diego, Woods was clearly struggling with his short game in a nine-hole pro-am round. He made it through 11 holes and was 2 over par when he withdrew with lower back stiffness. And he admitted a week later that his game was not up to PGA Tour standards.

Is there something more going on here?

Possibly, but what is it? The PGA Tour vehemently denied an insinuation from a former player that Woods was suspended. Woods' own words and those who have seen him suggest he is not injured. Could it be that he's simply having difficulty getting his game back where he wants it and prefers to take his time? It is safe to say that Woods returned from back surgery too soon last summer. Maybe he doesn't want to make that mistake again and will be exceedingly patient, even if it means missing the Masters for the second straight year.

So, does he play or doesn't he?

As Watson said, it is difficult to imagine Woods skipping the Masters if healthy. It is a course he knows as well or better than anyone. In 17 appearances as a pro, Woods has 13 top-10s, including four victories. Two years ago, he tied for fourth and was 4 shots behind Adam Scott -- the same 4 shots lost when his approach to the 15th hole on Friday found the water, then led to a 2-stroke penalty for an improper drop. But Woods' game is nowhere near that level. And there is certainly the chance things could be dicey for him this go around at Augusta National. Does he want to face that scrutiny? That is what we will find out in the coming days.