Woods fit for Doral title defence

March 6, 2014: After an extensive treatment for his back injury, World No. 1 Tiger Woods is ready to defend his Cadillac Championship. Woods walked out of final rounds of Honda Classic due to back spasm, confirmed that he is feeling better.

“I feel better, I feel good,” smiling Woods told media.Woods will tee off on Thursday with Masters champion Adam Scott and FedExCup winner Henrik Stenson. “It’s been a long couple days of just treatment nonstop, trying to get everything calmed down.”

Woods will need to be back at his best this week as he takes on an elite field that features the top 50 ranked players.

[highlight]The will to win hasn’t changed. It’s physically am I able to do it. A bad back is no joke [/highlight]

Woods has a serious challenge from World No. 2, Adam Scott at Doral. If Scott wins the €6.55 million tournament and Woods finishes seventh or worse, the Australian will take over as number one.

The seven-time winner of this event, Woods confirmed his fitness but admitted he had done little work on the golf course since withdrawing from the final round of the Honda Classic on Sunday after 13 holes.

“I hit some balls yesterday,” said Woods. “Furthest ball I hit I think was 60 yards, just trying to make sure I keep my feel.

“So I chipped and putted for a while, just making sure I had my feels in my hands and I didn’t lose that over the last couple days.

“My treatments have been fantastic. It’s annoying being poked and prodded all the time, but it’s got me to a point where I can do this today, and tomorrow I’ll be able to hit more full shots and go all out.”

In 13 career starts at the WGC-Cadillac Championship, Woods has won it seven time and the last four coming at the Doral resort.

Woods assured that mentally he’s as strong as ever. His issues, right now and going forward, are purely physical.

“The will to win hasn’t changed. It’s physically am I able to do it. A bad back is no joke.”

Woods has battled knee operations, wrist, elbow and shoulder problems during his career but he says back issues are something completely different.

“A bad back is something that is no joke,” said Woods. “When I had my injuries over the years, it was always after impact. So it’s fine; the ball’s gone. It’s going to hurt like hell, but the ball’s gone. But with the back, it’s a totally different deal.

“There are certain moments, certain movements you just can’t do. That’s one of the things I’ve started to learn about this type of injury; it’s very different.”

The Blue Monster course has been a happy hunting ground for Woods, however this time with a €180 million renovation, the course have come to be recognized as one of the toughest on PGA Tour.