Tiger Woods played practice round at Augusta

AUGUSTA, Ga. – Tiger Woods played a practice round Tuesday at Augusta National, a strong indication that the four-time champion could make his return at the Masters.

Mark Steinberg, his agent at Excel Sports Management, confirmed in an email to the AP that Woods played 18 holes.

Still to be determined is whether he returns for the Masters next week.

Woods has not played since he withdrew at Torrey Pines on Feb. 5 after 11 holes because of tightness in his back. He later said he would return to competition when he had the game for it.

“My play, and scores, are not acceptable for tournament golf,” Woods said in a statement Feb. 11. “Like I’ve said, I enter a tournament to compete at the highest level, and when I think I’m ready, I’ll be back.”

He has missed the Honda Classic and Arnold Palmer Invitational – he was not eligible for Doral this year – since the statement.

Woods has dropped to No. 104, his lowest ranking since September 1996 a week before his first pro victory. He has not recorded a top-10 finish since the end of 2013. And his limited golf this year has been the worst of his career. Woods shot 82 in the Phoenix Open and missed the cut.