(My Sportsbook) - Tiger Woods will return to competitive golf at the Masters.

Woods issued a statement Tuesday, saying he will end his self-imposed hiatus from the game at the year's first major championship, set for April 8-11 at Augusta National in Georgia.

"The Masters is where I won my first major, and I view this tournament with great respect," Woods said in a statement on his personal website. "After a long and necessary time away from the game, I feel like I'm ready to start my season at Augusta.

"The major championships have always been a special focus in my career and, as a professional, I think Augusta is where I need to be, even though it's been awhile since I last played."

Woods has not played a tour event in 2010, taking time off to concentrate on his personal life in the aftermath of the car accident last Thanksgiving weekend that led to revelations of marital infidelity.

"I have undergone almost two months of inpatient therapy, and I am continuing my treatment," Woods' statement continued. "Although I'm returning to competition, I still have a lot of work to do in my personal life."

Woods publicly apologized in a controlled atmosphere of family and friends at PGA Tour headquarters on February 19, but at the time did not hint at when he would make his return to the course.

There had been speculation that the world's No. 1 player would make an appearance near his Orlando home, either at the Tavistock Cup or the Arnold Palmer Invitational, later this month to tune up for the Masters. Instead, he will play at one of the most controlled events in golf, as Augusta National has strict limits on media accessibility and tight security.

"When I finally got into a position to think about competitive golf again, it became apparent to me that the Masters would be the earliest I could play," Woods concluded. "I called both Joe Lewis and Arnold Palmer and expressed my regrets for not attending the Tavistock Cup and the Arnold Palmer Invitational. I again want to thank them both for their support and their understanding. Those are fantastic tournaments, and I look forward to competing in them again.

"I would also like to thank the Augusta National members and staff for their support. I have deep appreciation for everything that they do to create a wonderful event for the benefit of the game."

Woods has won four Masters titles among his 14 major championships, but he last slipped on the coveted green jacket in 2005. Despite six victories in 2009, he failed to capture a major title and last won a major championship at the 2008 U.S. Open before undergoing knee surgery that cut the rest of that season short.