CNBC, CBS Fall Victim to Tiger Woods’ Obvious April Fool’s Masters Prank
April 1, 2025
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Julio Cesar Valdera Morales is a Newsweek contributor based in Spain. His focus is golf as well as politics and economics. Julio has been with Newsweek since February, 2025 and previously practiced law. Julio earned his Masters Degree at the University of Havana. You can get in touch with Julio by emailing j.morales@newsweek.com.
Julio Cesar Valdera Morales
Contributing Sports Writer
news article
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
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Tiger Woods showed no mercy to anyone in the golf world this April Fool’s Day when he pulled a prank involving his supposed return to the Masters Tournament next week. Despite it being quite obvious to most, not everyone escaped the farse, as CNBC was caught on camera reporting it as news.
The hosts of that network’s “Squawk Box” program read live from Woods’ post on X, in which he claimed to be in tee-off condition at Augusta National. For several seconds, they took the information at face value and showed their delight at the “happy news.”
“Only in America,” said one of the anchors.
It didn’t take long for them to realize that this was a particularly obvious joke on Woods’ part. Considering that he is recovering from a torn Achilles tendon, there is absolutely no way that the 15-time major winner is already recovered, let alone fit to play competitive golf.
Tiger Woods of the United States laughs during a practice round prior to the 2024 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 09, 2024 in Augusta, Georgia. Tiger Woods of the United States laughs during a practice round prior to the 2024 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 09, 2024 in Augusta, Georgia. Andrew Redington/Getty Images
If the nature of the injury wasn’t enough of a red flag, the fact that Woods’ “miraculous recovery” allegedly involved “sleeping in a hyperbaric chamber” should have set off prank detector bells.
Just in case, Woods himself followed up the first post with a second, making it clear to everyone in the golf world that he is far from recovered.
The CNBC crew was not the only one to fall victim to Woods’ humor. CBS Sports reporter Tracy Wolfson and Golf Channel Latin America’s Hugo Costa didn’t get it right away.
“Wow! This is insane but so great for the Masters. Can’t wait to watch him in Augusta,” Wolfson posted on X, formerly Twitter.
Tiger Woods reported two weeks ago this dangerous injury for any athlete, as well as that he immediately underwent surgery to repair it. It is a recovery process that usually takes several months.
More Golf: Rory McIlroy Reveals Stunning Elbow Injury News as the Masters Approach
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