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MIAMI (AFP) – Tiger Woods’ latest comeback is in its early stages, but the former world No. 1 golfer is already relishing the prospect of returning to the Masters in April. Woods counts four Masters titles among his 14 major championships, but he hasn’t played at Augusta National since 2015.

“I just missed the rush of competing for a Green Jacket,” he said on Wednesday of his injury-enforced absences.

“I’ve been doing it since I was 19 years old. I’ve enjoyed every single challenge and having to sit out on the sidelines is not fun — especially since I know the golf course.

“I was unfortunately so physically debilitated I could not compete,” he added. “This year it’s different. I’m looking forward to it.”

The PGA Tour’s Honda Classic at PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, will be Woods’s third start of 2018. He missed all of 2016 with back trouble and a comeback bid in 2017 was thwarted by further back pain that led to spinal fusion surgery last April.

After making the cut at Torrey Pines in January, Woods missed the cut at Riviera Country Club last week, where he was again erratic off the tee and also struggled on the greens.

“I just need to get better at it,” Woods said. “I wasn’t very good on Friday, more importantly I didn’t putt very good. I got exposed there on the back nine, hit three three-putts.”

Woods said he hasn’t made any equipment changes this week. After taking a couple of days off he returned to physical training and practice early this week but said what he really needs to get his game in shape is “tournament reps”.

“I’m learning how to play tournament golf again,” Woods said. “As far as catch-up mode, no I don’t feel like I am. I’m looking forward to April trying to get my game solid for April and I’ve got some work to do.”

Meanwhile, Rory McIlroy says winning a tournament ahead of the Masters is not a key to success at Augusta despite conventional wisdom suggesting otherwise.

The former world number one started the year with two top-three finishes on the European Tour, but has struggled to replicate that form in two events on the PGA Tour, missing the cut at Pebble Beach and then finishing in a tie for 20th place at last week’s Genesis Open.

Eight of the last 10 Masters champions have won a tournament in the six months prior to arriving at Augusta National, but speaking ahead of the Honda Classic, which starts in Florida on Thursday, McIlroy said he didn’t think it was that important.