Euro stars welcome Woods

Darren Clarke, Paul McGinley and Thomas Bjorn have joined the list of stars to welcome the news that Tiger Woods is to return to competitive action at The Masters next month.

The European Ryder Cup players, who are all playing in this week's Hassan II Trophy in Morocco, all agreed that Woods, who has not played competitively for four months following allegations about his private life, has been missed.

Clarke, a friend of the world number one who famously beat him to win the WGC Accenture Matchplay Championship back in 2000, said that any victory was sweeter in the knowledge that the winner had beaten the best.

"I think it's great. I think all the players will be delighted to have him back," the Ulsterman told Sky Sports News.

"There's something about winning tournaments which is special - but even more special to win whenever he's playing. He's the best player in the world and he's who we all want to compete against.

"He obviously has an affinity with Augusta, he's played great there many times before, so I think everybody will be looking forward to having him back."

Buzz

McGinley, who himself returns to competitive action this week having recovered from a knee operation, said: "Certainly the game has missed him. It's great when he's there - there's a real buzz in the tournaments when he's there.

"We miss him and I'm glad he's coming back to play sooner rather than later."

Former Ryder Cup vice-captain Bjorn added: "It's great that he's on his way back to feeling like he can compete again. Good luck to him - we all know that the game needs him.

"Everybody keeps saying this - that the game needs him - and he's been the finest player in the game for a very long time. We need him back playing golf and putting everything else behind him."