Former world number one Tiger Woods last night confirmed that he will compete at next week’s Masters in Augusta. The 14-time major winner had been a doubt after he withdrew from the Farmers Insurance Open on February 6 saying he will not return until he can “compete at the highest level”.

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But Woods has now confirmed he will take part in a tournament he used to dominate. “I’m playing in the Masters,” he said on his official website. “It’s obviously very important to me, and I want to be there.

“I’ve worked a lot on my game and I’m looking forward to competing. I’m excited to get to Augusta and I appreciate everyone’s support.”

Woods on Tuesday reportedly played 18 holes at the Augusta National Golf Club, a course where in the past he has had great success.

Woods has won the tournament four times, but the last of those was in 2005 and he failed to compete at last year’s competition because of a back injury.

Poor form and injuries have plagued the 39-year-old over the last few years, a fall from grace highlighted by the latest world rankings with the American at number 104. Woods was last outside the top 100 in September 1996 when he was ranked 225.

The low point came when he carded an 82 at the Phoenix Open in January, a round which he described as his worst as a professional. Woods lost his number one ranking to Adam Scott in May last year after a 2013 which saw him suffer poor form and injuries.

The American picked up an elbow injury at the Players Championship before he finished 13 over par at the US Open and only returned from the injury for The Open.

Woods was in contention all week at Muirfield and eventually finished five shots behind winner Phil Mickelson. Victory at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational two weeks later looked like it could be the catalyst to kickstart Woods’ winning habit.

However Woods sustained a back injury during the 2014 Honda Classic and subsequently missed the Masters for the first time since 1994.

His up and down form continued as a brilliant first round of 69 at the Open was followed up by a 77 and a finish of 69th. He has not won since that WGC Bridgestone Invitational title in August 2013.