Augusta, GA ….

Tiger Woods has played down any potential news grabbing headlines as the ‘Biggest Comeback’ in sport should he win the Masters.

Woods is returning with his golf clubs to the Masters for the first occasion in three years and with many punters prepared to back the now 42-year old as favourite to win a fifth Augusta green jacket.

But when quizzed on the subject Woods singled out the heroic efforts of Ben Hogan who in early 1949 was involved in a near fatal car accident.

Hogan had already won four Majors prior to the accident and returned to competition a year later to go on and win a further five Majors including Masters wins in 1951 and 1953.

Tiger Woods in good spirits heading into his 21st Masters.

Hogan then won the ‘Grand Slam’ later in 1953 with his first and only Open Championship success.

“Well, I have four rounds to play, so let’s just kind of slow down,” said Woods.

“As far as greatest comebacks, I think that one of the greatest comebacks in all of sport is the gentleman who won here, Mr. Hogan.

“I mean, he got hit by a bus and came back and won Major Championships.

“The pain he had to endure, the things he had to do just to play, the wrapping of the leg, all the hot tubs and just the ‑‑ how hard it was for him to walk, walk period, and he ended up walking 36 holes and winning a U.S. Open.

“And that’s just ‑‑ that’s one of the greatest comebacks there is, and it happens to be in our sport.”

Woods is clearly in good spirits having played a Tuesday practice round with newfound good friend, Phil Mickelson and taking the ‘mickey’ out of Mickelson in wearing button-up dress shirt in practice.

“I always give Phil a little bit of grief about that,” said Woods smiling.

“The only thing that was missing was a tie.”