Tiger Woods made a decision on Tuesday that caught the imagination of the golfing world: to play the Augusta Masters.

Tiger landed at Augusta National on Sunday to test himself and after a few practice rounds decided to sign up for the first major of the year.

It will be Woods' first professional tournament since his serious car accident in February of last year.

Tiger flipped his car on a Californian highway in February 2021 and broke both legs, injuries that have kept him sidelined for a year.

In recent months he has been showing signs of progress in his recovery, but he has waited for the Masters to potentially return.

His presence at Augusta adds to the big-name line-up, which will also include Justin Thomas, Jon Rahm and Rory McIlroy.

Although he is not one of the favourites, Tiger has five green jackets among his 15 major wins, three shy of Nicklaus' record.

His last triumph at Augusta came in 2019, after overcoming back and opioid problems that weighed heavily in previous years.

Justin Thomas and Fred Couples, who have shared rounds with him this week, say his game is ready for the challenge of the Masters.

Tiger, himself, has suggested he can win. Will this Masters be yet another rise from the flames for golf's phoenix?