Tiger Woods announced today he will return to competitive golf in April at the Masters, nearly five months after revelations about a string of affairs wrecked his image as a global sports icon.
In a statement posted on his website, top-ranked Woods, 34, said he would return to the sport he has long dominated at famed Augusta National Golf Club at the year's first major championship, which begins on April 8.
Woods has won four times at Augusta National, including his first major title in 1997, the first major crown ever taken by a black golfer.
"After a long and necessary time away from the game, I feel like I'm ready to start my season at Augusta," Woods said on his website. "The Masters is where I won my first major and I view this tournament with great respect."
Woods has not played in a tournament since winning the Australian Masters on November 15, the 82nd triumph of an amazing pro career that has seen him win 14 major titles, four shy of matching the record 18 won by Jack Nicklaus.
But 12 days after his Australian victory, Woods was in a car crash near his home that touched off a global scandal, leading to his admission of adultery and putting his golf career on hold while he fought his own personal demons.
"I have undergone almost two months of inpatient therapy and I am continuing my treatment," Woods said. "Although I'm returning to competition, I still have a lot of work to do in my personal life."
Woods might be making progress on that front as well. A photograph on the front page of Tuesday's New York Post shows Woods and wife, former model, Elin walking at their home, the first photo of them together since the scandal began. The couple also has two young children.
In addition to more than a dozen women claiming sexual encounters, some of them long-term affairs, Woods has faced the loss of many of the sponsors whose endorsement deals helped make him the first billion-dollar earner in sports.
Gatorade, Accenture and AT&T dropped Woods, although Nike stuck by the man they began endorsing when he turned professional in 1996 even as his situation turned Woods into a punch-line for comedians.
Woods apologized for his infidelity in an website posting last December, saying, "I regret those transgressions with all of my heart."
On February 19, Woods made his first public appearance since the firestorm began, again apologizing for his "selfish and irresponsible" behavoir.
In recent weeks, Woods was seen with coach Hank Haney working on his game and by fellow PGA players in practice sessions as he worked to recover physically and emotionally from the turmoil that swirled around him.
Woods decided against playing in a tune-up event to prepare himself for the challenges he will face on and off the Georgia course in three weeks time.
"The major championships have always been a special focus in my career and, as a professional, I think Augusta is where I need to be, even though it's been a while since I last played," Woods said.
Other possible comeback events for Woods would have been the Arnold Palmer Invitational and Tavistock Cup two-day exhibition event, both next week at Orlando, Florida, near his home.
"When I finally got into a position to think about competitive golf again, it became apparent to me that the Masters would be the earliest I could play," Woods said.
"I called both Joe Lewis and Arnold Palmer and expressed my regrets for not attending the Tavistock Cup and the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Those are fantastic tournaments and I look forward to competing in them again."
Woods would have been the defending champion at Palmer's tournament. It was his first victory and third event since an eight-month layoff due to knee surgery following his 2008 US Open triumph.
Woods also thanked Augusta National members and staff for helping him with his comeback choice.
"I have deep appreciation for everything that they do to create a wonderful event for the benefit of the game," Woods said.
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