Masters 2019: Tiger Woods believes in ending important waiting period

Tiger Woods is eliminated at 4:04 PM BST on Thursday 2019 MastersDates: 11-14 April Location: Augusta NationalCoverage: view the highlights of the first two days for uninterrupted live coverage of the final rounds on BBC Two, with up to four live streams online. Live radio and text commentary of all four days on BBC Radio 5 Live, Sport Extra, BBC Sport website and mobile app. Full details

Tiger Woods believes he can break his decades-long drought in the majors and win a fifth Masters title this week.

The 14-time big champion, who last won at Augusta National in 2005, has not won any of the four majors of golf since he claimed the US Open 2008.

After an operation at the back, he returned to 2018 with a "special" victory at the Tour Championship after participating in the Open and US PGA Championship

"I feel that I can again "the 43-year-old American said.

"I have proven that I can do it. I put myself in with a chance of winning the last two majors of last year.

" I was there at The Open and had the leadership. I made a run-up to the PGA. I just didn't have to throw a few shots, which I succeeded in the East Lake Tour Championship.

"From the struggles I have had over the last couple of years, to take the lead on the first day and finally winning the wire-to-wire tournament made it more special. It was a great way to to close the season.

"But more than anything else I have proven myself that I can play again at this level. "

Woods, who has been operated on four times to resolve back injuries in the last few years, has climbed the world ranking 12th – no one in the current top 11 has won the Masters.

He admitted, however, that he is surprised that he has not won a major in more than a decade, while continuing to pursue Jack Nicklaus & # 39; s record of 18 when he won his sixth green jacket at the age of 46 in 1986.

"After I won my 14th, it felt like I still had many more important championships that I could win," he said.

"I have my self there with chances on the back nine on different Sundays and just not done. Hopefully I will put myself there again this year and get it done. "

He added with a smile:" I know I can play this golf course. I have had some success here. "

Reed Faith and Space for Dinner

Patrick Reed only wants to be the fourth man to keep the Masters

Patrick Reed has also had some success and is not discouraged by the fact that only three men have defended their title in 82 previous Masters – Nicklaus in 1965-66, Nick Faldo in 1989-90 and Woods in 2001-02.

"I always feel it will be harder to win the first because every man there believes they can win a major," said the 28-year-old American.

"But until you really do it, there is a self-doubt in your mind. Will I be able to do it?

" Once you get over that obstacle, your self-confidence goes even higher because you start to believe. "

Reed also said that he used his Green Jacket as a motivation:" I position the jacket wherever I go, "he explained.

" So every time when I get up, I see it. Every time I come home, I see it. Every time I go to bed, I see it.

"It makes me hungry to try to win another."

As tradition dictates, Reed chose the menu for Tuesday champion's dinner and chose to serve a steak with ribeye from bone-in ribs for the main course. along with two salad options and a collection of creamy side dishes.

The Texas-born player has lost about 10lb and added: "I lost a bit, but the reason is because tonight I knew what menu I was putting there, so I have to leave a room to get there "

Reed is two green jackets behind his compatriot Phil Mickelson and the left-handed man says he is" looking "to continue on to this golf course where I don't feel so fascinated and I can let go a bit. "

Mickelson spent four days at Augusta National last week to prepare for the event.

" I usually like to play a tournament the week before a major, but with a change in the Tour Schedule that I have to change that a little bit this year, "he said.

" It's a chance to be fresh, but it's also a chance not to be that sharp. I am not entirely sure how it will play. "