Nicklaus thinks Woods will play in Masters next month

text size

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. -- Jack Nicklaus said Wednesday that not only does he think Tiger Woods will play in next month's Masters but that the world's top-ranked player will be back in action before the season's first major.

After playing in the Honda Classic pro-am with Dan Marino, Drew Brees and Kenny G, Nicklaus was asked the inevitable question about whether he thought Woods would play the Masters.

"It would surprise me if he didn't (play)," Nicklaus said. "I can't imagine in 100 years he's going to miss Augusta.

"I don't know. I've been very non-commital about everything because it's none of my business. As it relates to him playing golf, my guess is as a golfer he's going to want to try and play Augusta if he has his other things in order."

Woods, who has won the Masters four times, has taken an indefinite break from golf since crashing his car Nov. 27. Two weeks ago, he made his first public appearance, apologizing for his infidelity.

"I do plan to return to golf one day, I just don't know when that day will be," Woods said during his statement from TPC Sawgrass. "I don't rule out that it will be this year."

Woods has missed only two tournaments he normally would have played -- Torrey Pines and the WCG-Accenture Match Play Championship -- although he had been leaning toward playing Pebble Beach because it will host the U.S. Open in June.

"I suspect he'll play something before Augusta,'' Nicklaus said. "Your guess is as good as mine. I would be very surprised if he didn't play something before Augusta.''