GOLF: TIGER WOODS wishes he could have taken on Seve Ballesteros in his prime, but he did at least get to play with him.

Returning to golf this week for the first time since the US Masters – knee and Achilles problems prevented him hitting a single shot for almost a month – Woods has recalled the practice round he had with Ballesteros at Augusta some years ago.“

Just to hear him explain how to hit shots around there – it was just artful,” said the former world number one of the Spaniard, whose funeral took place yesterday.

“Just how much spin you need to put it here and where you need to land it, where it needs to kick and the way he explained it.

“And what he needs to do with the body to do that with the hands. He looked like he didn’t try and do anything mechanical – he just understood it.

“He would have been so much fun to watch and compete against.”

With 14 major titles Woods has nine more than Ballesteros achieved in his career, but the talk now, of course, is of a barren run in all tournaments that stretches back 18 months.

It looked as if it might come to a dramatic end at the US Masters when he charged into a share of the lead on the final day, but three-putting the 12th and missing a short eagle chance at the 15th led to him finishing joint fourth.

Then, however, he revealed he needed to take more time off because of injury.

Woods began practising again only on Monday and expectations do not appear to be too high for this week’s Players Championship – the same one he pulled out of on the final day last year because of neck trouble.

“The knee is better, no doubt. The Achilles is better as well, so I’m here playing,” he commented.

“It is what it is. The whole idea is I peak four times a year and I’m trying to get ready for Congressional (the US Open on June 16th-19th) and I need some playing time. “I missed playing last week, but I really want to get out there. This is a big event.”

Indeed it is with a total purse of €6.65 million making it the richest in golf, but although it has long carried the tag of the sport’s unofficial fifth major, world number one Lee Westwood and sixth-ranked Rory McIlroy have not seen the need to compete at Sawgrass this year. Pádraig Harrington and Graeme McDowell will be flying the flag for Ireland in Florida.

During his lay-off, Woods clearly noted the fact Bubba Watson, one of the rising American stars, had commented on his work with coach Sean Foley since August. Watson said he thought Woods was “going the wrong way” and was “so mental right now with his swing”.

Asked about that Woods said: “That was interesting. We’ll talk.”

Foley has aired his views already, though. The Canadian was quoted as saying: “He has the right to his own opinion, but you probably shouldn’t make comments about a guy who has won 69 more times than you and you are virtually the same age.

“There is absolutely zero need for him to make that comment. But you know, Bubba loves the camera anyway so, I mean, whatever.”

For McDowell, the week represents a chance to start rebuilding confidence ahead of his US Open title defence.

Following the best 10 months of his life Northern Ireland’s world number five has missed three of his last four halfway cuts, including the US Masters, and finished 61st on his other start.

“It’s been a pretty rough couple of months,” he admitted.

“It’s been a period of reflection and trying to work out where I go from here a little bit and just trying to re-prioritise and get my game back in shape again.

“I feel like I’m turning the corner. I look at this time last year and I hadn’t done much either.

“Last year turned out okay, so I’m trying to stay patient and very excited about things.”

Woods tees off in the first round with world number two Martin Kaymer – like Luke Donald and Phil Mickelson he could go top of the rankings in Westwood’s absence – and Matt Kuchar.

McDowell partners Jim Furyk and Dustin Johnson off the 10th tee, while Harrington plays with Americans Heath Slocum and Brian Gay.