Tiger Woods ready for return to Masters
Tiger Woods reacts after injuring his right wrist while hitting out of the rough on the ninth hole during the final round of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2015.
(David Cannon / Getty Images)Tiger Woods tees off on the second hole during the third round of the Masters at Augusta National on April 11, 2015.
(Andrew Redington / Getty Images)Tiger Woods waits on the 12th hole during the third round of the Masters on Saturday.
(Andrew Redington / Getty Images)Tiger Woods prepares to tee off during the second round of the Masters on Friday at Augusta National Golf Club.
(Timothy A. Clary / AFP / Getty Images)Jimmy Walker and Tiger Woods wait on the fourth tee during the second round of the Masters on Friday at Augusta National.
(Ezra Shaw / Getty Images)Tiger Woods lines up his putt on the 18th hole during the first round at the 2015 Masters Tournament.
(Andrew Gombert / EPA)Fans watch Tiger Woods’ drive at no. 4 during the first round of the Masters on Thursday.
(Jamie Squire / Getty Images)Tiger Woods smiles in front of a group of patrons during an April 7 practice round prior to the start of the 2015 Masters Tournament at Georgia’s Augusta National Golf Club.
(Andrew Redington / Getty Images)Tiger Woods hits out of the sand at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga., during an April 7 practice round for the 2015 Masters Golf Tournament.
(Timothy A. Clary / AFP/Getty Images)Tiger Woods plays a practice round at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga., on April 7, as he prepares for the 2015 Masters Golf Tournament.
(Timothy A. Clary / AFP/Getty Images)Tiger Woods walks with Mark O’Meara during an April 7 practice round at Georgia’s Augusta National Golf Club prior to the start of the 2015 Masters Tournament.
(Jamie Squire / Getty Images)Mark O’Meara, left, Tiger Woods and caddie Joe LaCava walk together during an April 6 practice round prior to the start of the 2015 Masters Tournament at Georgia’s Augusta National Golf Club.
(Ezra Shaw / Getty Images)Tiger Woods stands on a green as grounds crew mow the fairways during an April 6 practice round prior to the start of the 2015 Masters Tournament at Georgia’s Augusta National Golf Club.
(Ezra Shaw / Getty Images)Tiger Woods laughs with Mark O’Meara during an April 6 practice round prior to the start of the 2015 Masters Tournament at Georgia’s Augusta National Golf Club.
(Ezra Shaw / Getty Images)Tiger Woods and caddie Joe LaCava look on from a fairway during an April 6 practice round prior to the start of the 2015 Masters Tournament at Georgia’s Augusta National Golf Club.
(Jamie Squire / Getty Images)What did it take for Tiger Woods to end his self-imposed exile from competitive golf?
“I worked my ass off,” he said. “That’s the easiest way to kind of describe it.”
After weeks of practicing on his home course in Florida, Woods will make his return at the Masters this week.
The former No. 1 player left the PGA Tour in early February following a substandard performance at the Phoenix Open and an injury that forced him to withdraw from the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines.
Woods swore that he would not come back until his game -- especially his short game -- had improved.
“I’m excited, excited to be back, back playing at this level,” he told reporters during a press conference at Augusta National Golf Club. “My game is finally ready to compete at this level, the highest level, and I’m excited to be here.”
His demeanor on Tuesday ranged from relaxed to determined.
“I’m trying to beat everybody out there,” he said. “That hasn’t changed.”
For Thursday’s first round, Woods is scheduled to play in an afternoon group with Jimmy Walker and Jamie Donaldson.
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David Wharton has filled an array of roles — covering the courts, entertainment, sports and the second Persian Gulf War — since starting as a Los Angeles Times intern in 1982. His work has been honored by organizations such as the Society for Features Journalism and Associated Press Sports Editors and has been anthologized in “Best American Sports Writing.” Wharton has also been nominated for an Emmy and has written two books, including “Conquest,” an inside look at USC football during the Pete Carroll era. He left The Times in 2025.