Saturday 4 April 2015 15:04, UK
Tiger Woods has announced he will play in The Masters next week.
The four-time champion has not played since early February and this week dropped out of the world's top 100 for the first time in almost 20 years.
The 14-time major winner had been a doubt after he withdrew just 11 holes in to the Farmers Insurance Open, saying he will not return until he can "compete at the highest level".
But he arrived at Augusta National for a practice round on Tuesday, shooting 74, and was expected to play a second 18 holes on Friday.
Announcing the news on his website, Woods said: "I'm playing in the Masters. 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 tournament four times, but the last of those was in 2005 and he failed to compete at last year's competition for the first time in two decades because of a back injury.
'Great news'
Woods' announcement ends weeks of speculation about the 39-year-old's participation, with Sky Sports' Gary Christian believing it's good for the sport that the former world No 1 will feature at Augusta.
Speaking during Sky Sports 4's live coverage of the Shell Houston Open, Christian said: “He wanted to find any excuse to play and obviously he’s found enough form where he can be competitive. I like his statement in that he didn’t say he was going to win it, he didn’t say he was playing unbelievably well, he just said ‘I’m playing’.
“He’s kind of underplayed it and it’ll be interesting when he has his first press conference to see what goals he has for the week.
“Probably the most excited person out there will be Rory McIlroy. It just takes a little pressure off him, a little less scrutiny and it will be very, very exciting week next week.”
Poor form and injuries have plagued the 39-year-old over the last few years, a fall from grace highlighted by the latest world rankings with the American at number 104. The low point came when he carded an 82 at the Phoenix Open in January, a round which he described as his worst as a professional.
Woods lost his No 1 ranking to Adam Scott in May last year after a 2013 which saw him suffer poor form and injuries, and he has not won a title since victory at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational two years ago.
Watch Tiger at Augusta - all four rounds of The Masters are live on Sky Sports next week.
