TIGER IS OVER THE PINE BARRIER

TIGER WOODS is targeting a fifth Masters title on his latest return to golf, with big rival Sergio Garcia claiming there is still a “big question mark” over the American’s fitness.

The former world No.1 (left) will today tee up at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines, his first start on the full PGA Tour since missing the cut there last January.

The 14-time Major winner pulled out after one round in Dubai a week later before undergoing a fourth spinal operation in April.

Woods, now the world No. 647, said: “There is no more pain in my back. I have been playing six days a week. I haven’t felt this good in years and I’m just trying to build toward April.”

Woods, now 42, played in last month’s elite Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas and will now tackle the Southern California course where he has won nine times, including the 2008 US Open.

But his big rival Garcia, bidding this week to retain his Omega Dubai Desert Classic title, has his doubts about Tiger’s fitness. “There’s a big question mark over him physically,” he said. “He looked pretty good at the Hero Challenge but he has looked good at the Hero Challenge in the past and then, you know, he hasn’t lasted too long.”