Tiger Woods believes he is capable of winning the Masters this week as he confirmed his intention to compete at the first major of the year.
The five-time Masters champion has not played at a top-level event since teeing it up at Augusta as defending champion in November 2020.
A horrendous car accident last February led to such serious leg injuries that amputation was considered a possibility.
Even earlier this year when Woods hosted the Genesis Invitational, he played down hopes of making a swift return as he detailed the struggles he was having just walking.
However, the 46-year-old feels confident enough not just to compete this week, but to possibly win another Green Jacket in what would be a miraculous feat eclipsing even his own remarkable achievements.
“I do,” Woods replied when asked at a pres-conference if he thought he could win this week.
“I can hit it just fine. I don’t have any qualms about what I can do physically from a golf standpoint. Walking is the hard part.
He added: “The fact that I was able to get myself here to this point is a success.
“Now that I am playing, now everything is focused on how do I get myself into a position where I’m on that back nine on Sunday with a chance. Just like I did a few years ago.”
Woods was at Augusta last week with son Charlie and confirmed on social media over the weekend that he would return to step up his preparations for the tournament, but would make a ‘game-time’ decision as to whether he would play.
He played a practice round alongside Justin Thomas and Fred Couples at the start of the week, in front of huge crowds, and on Tuesday revealed he was planning on teeing off in the first round on Thursday.
“As of right now I feel like I am going to play,” Woods said.
“I’m going to play nine more holes tomorrow. My recovery has been good, I’ve been very excited about how I’ve recovered every day.
“That’s been the challenge, that’s why I came up here and tested it out for 27 holes - we played the par three course too, Charlie couldn’t help himself.
“It’s about the recovery, how I’m going to get all the swelling out and recover for the next day. My team has been fantastic and worked very hard.
“I’ve got another day of nine more holes and then game-time.”
