Woods looks to gain lost ground

If Tiger Woods returns at Augusta National, it will mark his longest layoff ahead of the Masters since 2010 The former world no. 1 has sunk to 104th in the rankings.

Washington, April 3: Having endured the worst year of his career, Tiger Woods arrives at Masters week struggling to recapture the form to finish 72 holes, much less add to his 14 major titles.

The former world no. 1 has sunk to 104th in the rankings, his lowest point since before taking his first PGA title at the 1996 Las Vegas Invitational, and played only 47 tournament holes this year.

Forget catching the career record 18 majors of Jack Nicklaus. Set aside the idea of three more PGA wins to match Sam Snead’s all- time victory record of 82. Woods has yet to prove his surgically repaired back and knees can still contend over 72 holes at age 39.

Woods managed only 11 holes at Torrey Pines in February before withdrawing with back issues. He missed the cut in January at Phoenix after a careerworst 82 in the second round.

In 10 PGA events since January of last year, Woods has withdrawn three times, missed three cuts and one secondary cut and completed 72 holes only three times, sharing 25th last year at Doral, placing 69th at the 2014 British Open and sharing last at his Hero World Challenge charity event last December, his third injury comeback event of 2014.

“I hope to be ready for the Masters and I will continue to work hard preparing for Augusta,” Woods said last month after skipping his usual final Masters tuneup at Bay Hill.

If Woods returns to competition as expected next Thursday at Augusta National, it will mark his longest layoff ahead of the Masters since 2010, when he endured a five- month layoff in the wake of his infamous sex scandal that included a public apology telecast worldwide.