The former world number one has been sidelined with a back injury since last August and has revealed that he doubted whether he'd ever get out on the course again.

"I'm playing again after 15 months of not competing," the 14-time major champion said. "It was that period of a month of two I just couldn't get out of bed. I needed help. It was a tough time.

"It's just two different worlds. Things have improved so much I'm able to be here. It hasn't been easy. It has been a lot of hard work.

"Hopefully I can get out there and shoot something. I'm going to have to get after it and see what happens."

Woods' comeback event, which follows a cancelled appearance in October, is at a 7,267-yard, par-72 layout designed by Ernie Els at the Albany resort in the Bahamas. Bubba Watson is the defending champion and Woods knows he has a tough task to compete at the top level immediately.

"I'm going to try to win this thing," he said. "Bubba went low, shot 25 under. That's going to be a tall order. I haven't played in a while.

"But hey, I'm going to give it my best, I'm going to be focused, I'm going to do what I can do and put the ball in the correct spots, give myself looks and try to bury these putts and post scores, and get myself in that mix come Sunday afternoon."

The American admits he'll be nervous and that he's had to adjust his game since injury - he's unable to out-drive his competitors in the way that he used to. But he says he still believes in his ability.

"My job is to go out there and win golf tournaments," he said, before admitting that he still hopes to someday be a Ryder Cup captain.

"I would be honored to be selected as a Ryder Cup captain," Woods said. "But it's not going to be for a while."

 

mp (AFP,AP)