Tiger Woods is hoping the PGA Tour wil not have to introduce a seperate ruling should golf’s ruling bodies elect to ban the anchoring of the belly or long-handled putter.

Submissions from golf tours around the world have to be with the USGA or R & A by close of business tomorrow – February 28th.

American Keegan Bradley – the first player to win a Major anchoring the belly putter to his body. (Photo – www.golffile.ie)

A decision on whether a ban will be enforced should be known a few weeks later.However Woods, speaking ahead of this week’s Honda Classic, does not want to see the PGA Tour or the PGA of America going ahead with a ‘local’ rule should the ban be put in place.

“My position hasn’t changed,” said Woods to ESPN.

“I still think that it should be swung, it shouldn’t be anchored, and that hasn’t changed at all. But obviously nothing is set in stone, nothing’s firm.

“The USGA and R&A are the governing bodies of our rules, and we’ll see what happens but hopefully we don’t have to bifurcate (have separate rules for pros and amateurs) or adapt a local rule like we do sometimes out here on tour (but all are within the Rules of Golf).

“So hopefully we won’t have to do that with the putter.”

Three of the last five Majors have been won by players anchoring the belly putter to their body.

If a ban is approved it will not come into place until January 1st, 2016.

Woods is returning to the Honda Classic where last year he shot a blistering final round 62 to finish two shots behind Rory McIlroy.

It is only the third time in his career Woods has teed-up in the event after making his debut as a then amateur in 1993.

Woods will play the opening two rounds of the $6m event alongside Germany’s Martin Kaymer and USA Ryder Cup colleague, Dustin Johnson.