Tiger Woods set to play Masters at Augusta National

Tiger Woods will play in the Masters this week, just 14 months after a car crash left him with life-threatening injuries.

Woods will play nine holes on Wednesday.

The American said in a news conference at Augusta National that he was going to play.

When asked if he thought he could equal Jack Nicklaus record of six victories, he replied: "I do." I don't show up to an event if I don't think I can win it.

If he never played again, Woods would be content with his haul of 15 major titles, three behind the all-time record, and joint-record 82 PGA Tour titles.

He said that he feels like he can still do it. I have won tournaments.

I feel like if I can still compete at the highest level, you won't see me out here.

The fact that I was able to get myself here at this point was a success and now that I am playing, everything is focused on getting in that position on the back nine on Sunday with a chance like I did a few years ago.

He surprised a lot of people when he said last week that he was going to compete at the first men's major of 2022.

The last professional tournament that Woods participated in was the Masters in November 2020 when he was defending champion, having won his fifth title in 2019.

Three months later, he flipped his car while driving to double the speed limit. Woods had to have a leg amputation after the crash because he was afraid of it. He was in the hospital for a long time.

He used a buggy to get around the course while playing in an exhibition tournament with his son.

In February, Woods made it clear that the hilly terrain at Augusta National would be too soon in his recovery.

He played 27 holes last week, nine on Sunday and nine more on Monday in the company of good friends Fred Couples and Justin Thomas.

More to come.