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Masters will be Woods' Return to Golf

Tiger Woods will end his four-month break from competitive golf at next month's Masters Tournament, the first major of the year. He made the announcement on his website, www.tigerwoods.com.

In the statement, Woods wrote: "The Masters is where I won my first major, and I view this tournament with great respect. After a long and necessary time away from the game, I feel like I'm ready to start my season at Augusta.

"The major championships have always been a special focus in my career and, as a professional, I think Augusta is where I need to be, even though it's been awhile since I last played.

"I have undergone almost two months of inpatient therapy, and I am continuing my treatment. Although I'm returning to competition, I still have a lot of work to do in my personal life.

"When I finally got into a position to think about competitive golf again, it became apparent to me that the Masters would be the earliest I could play. I called both Joe Lewis and Arnold Palmer and expressed my regrets for not attending the Tavistock Cup and the Arnold Palmer Invitational. I again want to thank them both for their support and their understanding. Those are fantastic tournaments, and I look forward to competing in them again.

"I would also like to thank the Augusta National members and staff for their support. I have deep appreciation for everything that they do to create a wonderful event for the benefit of the game."

Woods hasn't played competitively since November 15 when he won the Australian Masters. That win was his 82nd worldwide. Later that month his seemingly secure world crumbled around him following a single-car accident near his Windermere, Fla., home, and subsequent revelations of marital improprieties. Those events led to his disappearance from public life and eventual treatment for sex addictions at a clinic in Mississippi.

In recent weeks, Woods has been seen practicing on the driving range at his home club, Isleworth, often accompanied by swing coach Hank Haney. Speculation the past few weeks had some predicting his return to competition would be the Tavistock Cup, a made-for-TV inter-club event next week between Isleworth and Lake Nona, or the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill at the end of the month.

Woods' announcement that the Masters will mark his return should skyrocket golf back into the public consciousness. Already the highest-rated tournament on television, the first major of the year could be the most-viewed ever. The first two rounds April 8 and 9 will be televised on ESPN, with CBS Sports covering the final two rounds Saturday and Sunday on the 10th and 11th.

"Obviously, the ratings will be off the chart," Heath Slocum told Associated Press golf writer Doug Ferguson. "It will be interesting to watch - not only the reaction from him, but from the fans, the media, the players. I would venture to say he might be nervous."

Woods will be seeking his 15th major at the 2010 Masters; he's a four-time champion in the event at Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia. His last win there came in 2005, when he beat Chris DiMarco in a playoff, and his last major title came in the 2008 U.S. Open. He's now four major titles from tying the all-time record of 18 set by Jack Nicklaus.

This year will also mark the first time Woods has ever missed the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill. He's won the event six times since 2000, including the past two years.

On Tuesday, the tournament host expressed disappointment to Orlando Sentinel writer Jeff Shain that Woods won't be playing in 2010. "It's a bit disappointing to all of us," Palmer told Shain.

When asked if he would have liked his tournament to be Woods' first event back, with considerable media hubbub, Palmer said: "It's a mixed situation. But we'd certainly like to have him play."

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