Masters champion, Sergio Garcia has long mended ‘bridges’ with Tiger Woods so much so the Spaniard has complimented Woods ahead of the 14-time Major Champion teeing-up in this week’s Farmers Insurance Open.

Garcia is in the UAE to defend his Omega Dubai Desert Classic title and arrived into Dubai in the best possible form have stormed his way to success in Sunday’s conclusion to the Asian Tour’s Singapore Open.

Garcia’s win on the Emirates Club course eventually led to a long overdue first Majors success at Augusta National so much so Garcia will be hosting the annual ‘Former Champions Dinner’ and with Woods among those who will sit to savour meal chosen by Garcia.

Sergio Garcia returns to defend his Omega Dubai Desert Classic title. (Photo – European Tour/Gettys)

But on the eve of his Dubai title defence Garcia was asked about Woods return at Torrey Pines.

“Yeah, it’s going to be interesting to see,” said Garcia.

“I mean, I don’t know, but in my opinion, it’s a big question mark to see how he’s going to be able to do physically. I think that he looked pretty good at the Hero Challenge. But he has looked good at the Hero Challenge, and then, you know, he hasn’t lasted too long.

“So hopefully he’s able to get in a bit of a rhythm when it comes down to playing tournaments. But nobody knows. Probably I would like to — I think I can say that probably he doesn’t even know how his back and his body is going to cope with everything that goes on with playing tournaments and practising and everything that comes with it. So we’ll see.”

Q. How important do you think he is to golf? Do we need him?
SERGIO GARCIA: Yeah, of course we need him. He’s done so much for the game. If he’s not there, will the game of golf fall apart? I don’t think so. But obviously like I always say, the more sugar, the sweeter.

So the more big-time players we have on Tour, the better it is for the game globally and he’s obviously one of those.