Tiger Woods practiced at Augusta National Golf Club again on Friday, so it was no surprise that before the end of the day he announced his return to the PGA Tour will come next week in the Masters.
Woods has not played since he withdrew after 11 holes of the first round in the Farmers Insurance Open in February because of back spasms, and later he said he would not be back until he believed his game could be competitive.
“I’m playing in the Masters,” Woods said on his website. “It’s obviously very important to me, and I want to be there. I’ve worked a lot on my game and I’m looking forward to competing. I’m excited to get to Augusta and I appreciate everyone’s support.”
Woods has won the Masters four times, but not since 2005, among his 14 major titles, the last in the 2008 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines, where he beat Rocco Mediate in an epic 19-hole playoff.
Last year, Tiger missed the Masters for the first time since 1996 after undergoing back surgery.
Golfweek reported that Woods shot 2-over-par 74 in his practice round at Augusta on Tuesday, but there was no immediate word on what his score was on Friday.
