Tiger Woods plays golf with Justin Thomas and Fred Ridley at Augusta National

Tiger Woods reportedly played a round at Augusta National alongside Justin Thomas and Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley today as he stepped up his preparation for the season's first major at The Masters from 11-14 April.

Woods, 48, has not played in a competitive tournament since withdrawing due to illness in the second round of the Genesis Invitational in mid-February.

The 15-time major champion was forced to bow out of The Masters ahead of the final round in 2023 citing a plantar fasciitis injury.

Woods tied Gary Player and Fred Couples for most consecutive Masters cuts made with 23 at last year's tournament. 

The former World No.1 had ankle surgery straight after his Masters WD and he took the rest of the season off to recover.

He then returned to action in December 2023 to finish 18th in his annual Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas. 

Woods also pegged it up with his son Charlie Woods at the PNC Championship.

Team Woods finished in the top five. 

Tiger Woods to return at 2024 Masters

#ON TO AUGUSTA — Tiger Woods preparation for the 2024 Masters is getting underway with a scouting mission this coming weekend, per sources. pic.twitter.com/b1mZqe8wuK

— TWLEGION (@TWlegion) March 29, 2024

Woods' name is on the entry list to compete in the 2024 Masters from 11-14 April.

TW is scouting ANGC today.

— TWLEGION (@TWlegion) March 30, 2024

It emerged from Sports Illustrated writer Bob Harig that Woods stepped up his preparations for The Masters with a practice round alongside Thomas and Mr Ridley at Augusta National on 30 March. 

As @TWlegion noted earlier, Tiger is at Augusta National today in advance of the Masters. Word is he is playing with (or did) club chairman Fred Ridley and . . . Justin Thomas.

— Bob Harig (@BobHarig) March 30, 2024

Woods is a five-time winner of The Masters following victories in 1997, 2001, 2002, 2005 and 2019. 

Jack Nicklaus is the only player to have won more green jackets than Woods with six. 

Woods will be making his 26th appearance at The Masters this April. 

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