Tiger Woods has not given up hope of competing in next month's US Masters and is trying everything he can to overcome back problems, the former world No.1 has said.
Woods, speaking on Good Morning America on Monday, returned to the PGA Tour in January after a 17-month absence but has struggled with a nagging back problem.
"I'm trying everything I can just to be able to get back and play," Woods said when asked if he thought he had a chance of playing the season's opening major, which starts on April 6.
"I love that event. It's meant so much to me in my life. It's the first major I ever played back in '95. It has so much history and meaning to me that I'd love to get back."
Since returning this year Woods missed the cut at the Farmers Insurance Open and shot an opening-round 77 a week later in Dubai before withdrawing due to a back spasm. He has not played a tournament since.
Woods, now ranked No.742 was in New York to promote his new book The 1997 Masters: My Story about the first major title he won in record-breaking style.
Should the four-time Masters champion be unable to compete at Augusta National it would be the third time in four years that he has missed the tournament.
"The mind is sharp. I just need to get the body willing to do it," the 41-year-old said.
"That's the hard part. Getting the prep time. I haven't been able to get much prep time in. I haven't been able to train like I used to, practise like I used to. So it's been hard.
"My priorities have changed a lot," Woods added. "My kids now dominate my life and I think that's a good thing."
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