AUGUSTA, Georgia (Reuters) - Tiger Woods is part of the conversation every time the Masters rolls around and this year will be no different even though the five-time champion is a longshot who has been severely limited when it comes to competition due to health reasons.

Woods, who endured an abbreviated 2023 season that featured two PGA Tour starts before having ankle surgery last April, will tee off Thursday in the first round of the Masters having played 24 holes of official golf this year and none since February.