Kim - Tiger to roar on return

Kim (L) and Villegas: backing Tiger

We've got Tiger up there, who has been number one for a long time. If he's healthy, I think he will come out here and continue to play great and win golf tournaments.

Camilo Villegas
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Camilo Villegas and Anthony Kim have both backed Tiger Woods to return from injury the dominant player he was before his enforced break.

Villegas, who turned 27 on Wednesday, and Kim, 23, are widely regarded as two of the most exciting young players on the planet and both chalked up two victories on the PGA Tour last year.

The duo have both signed up for European Tour membership this season in order to compete in the lucrative 'Race to Dubai', as well as expanding their own profiles globally.

However, they accept they have some way to go before challenging world number one Woods, who is currently working his way back to fitness following reconstructive knee surgery.

Although the American has yet to confirm a comeback date, Villegas insists he expects Tiger to return as good as ever.

"He knows exactly what he needs to do," stated the Colombian. "He's going to come back healthy and he's going to keep winning golf tournaments.

"And at the same time, I've got my own goals and I just want to win golf tournaments. I'll do everything I need to do to improve myself and if it (becoming number one) ever happens, I'll be very, very happy.

"But we've got Tiger up there, who has been number one for a long time. If he's healthy, I think he will come out here and continue to play great and win golf tournaments."

Woods has not played competitively since his astonishing win at last year's US Open, which came despite cruciate ligament damage and a double stress fracture of his tibia.

Magic

However, like Villegas, Kim feels sure the world number one will have lost none of his magic when he does return to the course.

"He's obviously the best player in the world and nobody is taking that away from him right now," the 23-year-old said.

"I'm going to do my best to keep grinding and working towards that goal."

Asked whether he felt Tiger would have gained any extra motivation from those championing himself and the likes of Villegas and Sergio Garcia as potential challengers for the number one ranking, Kim jokingly added: "I'm sure he's motivated.

"He's a funny guy and I'm sure he sees it, but he's not too worried. Obviously, he shouldn't be right now. What he's done is unbelievable.

"We're just trying to grind and when the ball gets teed up and you need to make that putt, I think a couple of us will be more prepared than we were when he left."