Tiger set to play US PGA Valspar, Palmer events

MIAMI: Former World No 1 Tiger Woods said on Friday that he will play in US PGA Tour events in Florida in the next two weeks, which are the top tune-up events for next month’s prestigious Masters tournament.

Woods, a 14-time Major champion, will play in next week’s Valspar Championship near Tampa and the following week’s Arnold Palmer Invitational at Orlando, in Florida.

Woods is making a comeback after back surgery that has seen him finish 12th in last month’s Honda Classic, 23rd at Torrey Pines in January and ninth in his long protracted return at the Hero World Challenge last December. He also missed the cut last month at Riviera.

“After a good recovery week, I am committing myself to playing in the @ValsparChamp and @APinv over the next two weeks,” Woods wrote in a Twitter posting.

The 42-year-old American had limited options for pre-Masters stops because he is ineligible for the World Golf Championships tournaments that is happening this week in Mexico, or the Match Play later this month.

Woods was expected to play at Bay Hill in the Palmer event, where he has emerged as the winner eight times, but has not competed since taking the 2013 title, missing the past four events following surgeries for his problematic back which has kept him on the sidelines for lengthy periods.

It will be the first time Woods has played the Valspar tournament and his first competitive event at Innisbrook resort’s Copperhead course since his early pro days at a 1996 two-player event pairing PGA and LPGA talent.

Woods has missed the Masters for the past two years due to reoccurring back issues, but he is expected to go all out in seeking his fifth green jacket next month at Augusta National.