TIGER THE OLD MASTER

Faldo: Woods was written off and so Augusta glory would be his finest hour

TIGER WOODS winning the Masters would be his ‘‘greatest achievement’’, according to Sir Nick Faldo.

The four-time champion returns to Augusta this week as favourite with American bookies even though he has not played a Major for the last two years and had a fourth back operation last April.

Woods, now 42, was at the Masters last year only to attend the Champions Dinner and talk of him winning a fifth crown would have been laughed at.

Faldo (right), who won three Green Jackets, said: “You should ask Jack Nicklaus what Tiger said to him a year ago (at the Champions Dinner).

“I believe it’s not a secret, I think it’s out there. He said ‘That’s it, I’m done.’ Tiger was that negative.

“You would not have thought he could come back to the level he’s at now, able to compete. If he was to win again at Augusta it would be his greatest achievement.”

This weekend Woods admitted on his website: “I got a second chance on life. I am a walking miracle.”

The former world No.1 is on a run of 12 consecutive rounds of par or better and has finished in the top five of his last two PGA Tour events. But he last won an event in 2013 and his last Major was the 2008 US Open.

“Tiger has created a great buzz this year,” added Faldo. “His game and the attention he’s been getting has been very much like the old days of Tiger. “Does he have the nerve? He’s certainly loving the opportunity and he’s healthy enough to compete with the best of them.

“He’s right in the mix. It’s been 10 years since his last Major win, though.

“It would be unbelievable. But does he have the nerve?”