AUGUSTA, Ga.—Tiger Woods admitted he doesn’t know how many Masters he has left, a fate that’s the byproduct of the numerous injuries suffered by the 15-time major winner over the past two decades. Woods’ caddie agrees, illustrating the physical torment Woods is dealing with as he attempts to win his sixth green jacket.

Speak to the New York Post, Woods’ loop Joe LaCava said Woods continues to deal with a significant amount of pain just to compete, pain that LaCava says is taking a toll on Woods. According to LaCava, Woods’ issues with his leg at the Genesis Invitational wore down the 47-year-old and can’t envision things being much better this week.

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“Obviously it affected him physically, but I think it got to him mentally because he’s grinding to block out the pain,” LaCava told the Post about Woods’ only start this season at Riviera. “I think that messes with you a little bit upstairs, and that’s the first time I saw him trying so hard to block it out mentally.”

“He’s pretty banged up,” LaCava continued. “If it wasn’t Augusta he probably wouldn’t be playing … He still has the power, the swing speed, the shots and the length to contend. The injury is devastating, but if he could take a cart he could contend tomorrow.”

An ominous forecast could cause delays throughout the tournament. Should rain and storms force marathon rounds, LaCava doesn’t like Woods’ chances. “I can’t imagine him trying to go 27-plus holes [in one day] around here,” LaCava said.

For his part, Woods isn’t hiding from the notion that he’s hurt and his time to contend at Augusta National may be running out. “Mobility, it’s not where I would like it, but it’s — as I sit here, I’ve said to you guys before, I’m very lucky to have this leg; it’s mine,” Woods said. “Yes, it had been altered and there’s some hardware in there, but it’s still mine. It’s been difficult and will continue to be hard. It will be difficult to predict the future with my leg. I get that. I understand that I cannot prepare and play in as many tournaments I want, but that’s my future. That’s okay. I’m okay with that.”

Woods, on the other hand, is not here as a ceremonial player and he explained how he plans for attacking Augusta due his physical limitations and lack preparation. “I’ve gone through so many different scenarios in my head. It’s no secret that I don’t sleep well so I go through it and look through the data bank to see how to hit shots from each place. Then I practice it. That’s the only way I can compete here. I don’t have any physical tournaments under my belt. I haven’t played as much as I would like. But if there’s one course I can go back to, as I did last year’s, it’s here. Look at the difference — Fred can still compete here while Bernhard is still here. They are older guys who know how to play this particular type of golf course. It’s a great help. And hopefully it will help me this week.”

Woods will tee off Thursday at Viktor Hovland & Xander Schauffele, 10:18 a.m.

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