'Do not write Tiger Woods off at The Masters'

Tiger Woods will be a contender at The Masters, according to former professional baseballer and golfer Ken Harrelson.

Woods confirmed on Friday he will compete at next week's Masters at Augusta National in what would be just his second PGA Tour appearance of the year, after a string of injuries and a severe drop in form saw him take a break in February.

But with the 39-year-old set to return in Georgia, where he was won arguably golf's premier event four times, Harrelson cannot wait to see what Woods can do.

While the former MLB All-Star, who quit baseball in 1971 to pursue a professional golf career, conceded on Friday that Woods has lost his "aura", Harrelson is convinced the ex-world number one can challenge at Augusta.

"Of course, the situation that he went through was unfortunate, but he's gotta overcome it. Personally, I think he can," Harrelson said at a media conference.

"A lot of people are writing him off but I've learnt over the years that you don't write anyone off unless they write themselves off."

A back injury forced Woods to withdraw from the Farmers Insurance Open almost two months ago, a week after he missed the cut at the Phoenix Open.

It appeared to be the beginning of the end but regardless of his form, Harrelson reckons Woods will add so much to The Masters.

"He was a guy that made the game, so to speak. The game, when Tiger first game in, was on the decline," the 73-year-old said.

They'd lost two tournaments, two sponsors and the TV ratings were in the outhouse. When he came on, one year later, they got a new contract for triple what the previous one was and the ratings started going through the roof.

"I got to the point where I was spoiled, because I wouldn't watch unless Tiger was playing and a lot of my friends got the same way. So, I was hoping [he would play]...

"Everyone knows the travails he's gone through and everyone knows he's probably not going to be on top of his game.

"For him to go out there and not play well takes a lot of courage. But he owes it to the game and I think he understands that."

Woods won The Masters in 1997, 2001, 2002 and 2005, while he missed last year's edition and finished tied for fourth in 2013.