Tiger in a race to get fit for Masters

Los Angeles – Tiger Woods made his first public comments since undergoing his fifth back surgery, with the 15-time major champion uncertain if he will be able to play at the Masters.

Asked if he plans to play in April at the Masters, which he won in 2019, Woods said, "God, I hope so."

But the 45-year-old winner of 82 US PGA titles, level with Sam Snead for the all-time record, said it will depend on how well he recovers.

“I'm feeling fine. I'm a little stiff,” Woods said during Sunday's CBS telecast of the US PGA Genesis Invitational, where Woods serves as tournament host.

“I have one more MRI scheduled so we'll see if the annulus is scarred over finally and then I can start doing more activities,” Woods said.

“Still in the gym, still doing the mundane stuff that you have to do for rehab, the little things where I can start gravitating toward something more.”

Woods had no timetable for a return and said of playing in the final round on 11 April at Augusta National: “I've got to get there first. I don't have much wiggle room. I've only got one back.”

“I don’t know what the plan is,” Woods admitted. –

London – West Ham United are in an “incredible position” but manager David Moyes insists there is more to come from his side who beat arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur to move fourth in the Premier League on Sunday.

Goals by Michail Antonio and Jesse Lingard and a spirited rearguard action when Tottenham came on strong, earned West Ham a 2-1 victory which means they are in the top four after at least 25 games for the first time since 1986.

Incredibly, this time last season they were mired in a fight against relegation, a position West Ham have been more familiar with in recent times than eyeing Champions League qualification.

“We are really excited about it because this time last year we were worried sick we were going to get relegated, so we are thrilled about it,” said Moyes.

“But the biggest thing for me is we can play much better and that is the bit that excites me and makes me think there is still better to come.” –