Saturday 31 March 2018 08:44, UK
Tiger Woods has described himself as a "walking miracle" as he ramps up his preparation for his return to major action at the Masters.
Woods has missed the opening major of the year through injury for the past two years and limited to attending the traditional Champions Dinner, but he is relishing the chance to feature in a playing capacity again at Augusta.
The 14-time major championship has impressed since coming back from spinal back fusion surgery, having initially feared his career may be over after an injury-plagued few years.
A runner-up finish at the Valspar Championship was the first of two top-five finishes in consecutive weeks on the PGA Tour, with Woods noticing improvements in his game ahead of his major comeback.
"I got a second chance on life," he said on his website. "I am a walking miracle. I'm just really looking forward to playing.
"It's the best run tournament in the world. The golf course, the patrons, the entire atmosphere. It's a golfer's heaven. I'm just there to win.
"Six months ago the odds were I wasn't even going to play. I've been better with each week I've competed. A little more crisp. I'm starting to put the pieces together."
Woods played two practice rounds at Augusta National last week alongside Bryson DeChambeau, his first appearance there since 2015, with further practice planned before the tournament gets underway on Thursday.
"They resurfaced a few of the greens, but they still look like they've been there for 100 years," Woods said. "The course was in fantastic shape. My yardage book was basically the same.
"It played brutally. The ball wasn't flying or rolling out. It will play much, much faster in the tournament."
Watch the Masters throughout the week live on Sky Sports Golf. Live coverage begins with the On the Range show on Monday from 5pm.
