LOS ANGELES, April 3 (Xinhua) -- Former world No. 1 Tiger Woods announced on Friday to play the Masters next week.

"I'm playing the Masters," Woods said in a statement posted on his website.

"It's obviously very important to me, and I want to be there. I've worked a lot on my game, and I'm looking forward to competing. I'm excited to get to Augusta, and I appreciate everyone's support."

Woods, who has dropped out of top 100, hasn't been in a tournament since pulling out of Torrey Pines on February 5 with back pain.