Tiger Woods may shake up his pre-Masters schedule

Tiger Woods, following a lackluster 1-over 71 in the first round of the Honda Classic, hinted again that he may adjust his schedule leading up to the Masters in April.

Woods said Wednesday he had not ruled out adding an event to the three tourneys, starting this week at PGA National, on the Florida Swing he’s already committed to, changing his lineup, or perhaps heading to Augusta earlier than usual. Thursday, though declining to be specific, he told ESPN.com’s Bob Harig any of the suggested scenarios was possible.

“It could be all of the above,” he said.

As it stands now, Woods is slated for title defenses next week at Doral and two weeks later at Bay Hill. Having played just seven official rounds worldwide heading into the Honda, and his game clearly in need of his famous reps after a missed cut at Torrey Pines and a T41 in Dubai, Woods could add the Valspar Championship in two weeks, the Valero Texas Open starting March 27, or the April 3-April 6 Shell Houston Open the week before the Masters.

Dottie Pepper, for one, believed Woods needed less time on the range and more on the course in the heat of battle if he hoped to compete in the season’s first major.

“I don’t know that Tiger Woods plays enough golf,” the former LPGA star and current ESPN analyst said on ESPN.com on Thursday.

Should Woods, who finished his first round at the Honda eight shots off the blistering pace set by Rory McIlroy, miss the cut, the need to add more events would be even more pressing.

“This is only his third start worldwide, second PGA Tour start of this wrap-around season,” said Pepper. “I think he needs to tinker a little less and play more.”