Professional golfer Tiger Woods came out of a long injury-ridden period and recently played 18 holes at the Augusta National last Tuesday.

The last time Woods played competitive golf was last February where he withdrew from the Farmers Insurance Open. A week after, he announced that he was taking a leave from the game to try and fix some issues regarding his game.

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An email from Woods' agent, Mark Steinberg, had said that Tiger is clearly working hard on his game and will advise us when he is ready to start playing again.

The first steps toward his return may have been taken by the 18 holes he went through. He played with two Augusta National members and his caddie, Joe LaCava.

The practice game that Woods just played is particularly significant with the Masters Tournament looming its large head next week.

Even with the tournament nearing, Woods is not pressured to formally commit to playing since he is an invited player. Apart from that, the event has no alternate list. The club will be announcing the tournament groupings two days before the start of the Masters.

Last February 11, Woods said that his play and scores are currently not suitable for tournament golf.

"Like I've said, I enter a tournament to compete at the highest level, and when I think I'm ready I'll be back."

Woods has already skipped a number of tournaments - like the Honda Classic and the Arnold Invitational - that he normally would have participated in. He was not eligible for the WGC-Cadillac Championship.

Last year, Woods had gone under the surgery to fix his ailing back and disk issue. Since then, he has only played seven events worldwide, withdrawing from two and missing the cut in two others.

If Woods misses next week's tournament, it will mark the longest time that he has not play competitive golf. 

Tagstiger woods, golf, Augusta, Masters