What they're saying about Tiger Woods' return

Quotes on Tiger Woods' impending return to golf:

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

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"We support Tiger's decision to return to competitive golf beginning at this year's Masters Tournament. Additionally, we support and encourage his stated commitment to continue the significant work required to rebuild his personal and professional life." - Masters chairman Billy Payne.

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"Wow I've had a lot of calls today from friends who have decided to come to the Masters this year." - British Open champion Stewart Cink on Twitter.

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"I'm glad he's coming back. I hope he plays well and makes the team. I'd like to have him on the team because I think he's a pretty good player." - US Ryder Cup captain Corey Pavin.

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"We were pleased to learn that Tiger Woods will be playing the Masters in a few weeks. He has invested a lot of time taking steps, both in his personal and professional life, in order to prepare for his return. We all wish him and his family the best as he rejoins the tour." - US PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem.

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"It's great to see him coming back again. It's absolutely brilliant. We all want him back because he's the best player on the planet." - Darren Clarke, one of Woods' close friends on the European tour.

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"It's obviously great for golf that he's back. It shows the commitment he has to his family. If he came back earlier, that would give him a better chance at Augusta. He would have been putting golf first. Putting his family first by not warming up for Augusta, it's a good statement." - Padraig Harrington.

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"It will have an effect on everyone because we're going to have to talk about it a lot. I'm doing it right now. He's going to be difficult to interview, so that leaves the rest of us answering a lot of questions." - Jim Furyk.

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"Is everyone excited to see Tiger Woods return to golf? I'm looking forward to watching him return at this years Masters." - US LPGA player Natalie Gulbis on Twitter.

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"It's what he does every single day of his life and it's not like any other sport where you need other influences. He can work on everything he needs to work on by himself. He's going to win it by four strokes. Book it." - Washington Nationals first baseman Adam Dunn.

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"He's never had a distraction quite like this in his life, other than dealing with his celebrity status. A guy that has been through so many crunching situations, so many pressure situations, I don't think it's going to be one of those things where he beats himself up. He's extremely mentally strong. He has shown that in all of his tournaments. Besides getting past whatever he went through recently, I think he's just going to come back to it. It's just like riding a bike for him. He's been doing it long enough. He knows what he's doing and I think he'll get right back into it. He's athletic." - Two-time Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum of the San Francisco Giants.

- AP