Tiger Woods is still holding onto the hope that he could be back from injury in time to play in the Masters at the start of next month.

Woods, who has been out since withdrawing from the Omega Dubai Desert Classic with back spasms, says he is “trying everything” to get himself ready to play.

At the age of 41, Woods has played just seven competitive rounds since a 16-month absence from golf after back surgery in 2015.

He was fully expected to miss out on the tournament but is desperate to beat the odds and get back to fitness in time to feature.

Despite being sidelined for the PGA’s entire Florida Swing, Woods told ABC’s Good Morning America show on Monday that he is aiming to go for a fifth Masters title exactly 20 years after he won the competition for the first time as a fresh-faced 21-year-old.

Woods: I'm trying

When asked if he would be playing at Augusta, he was quoted by Sky Sports as saying: “God, I hope so. I’m trying. I’m trying everything I can do to be able to get back and play. I love that event, it’s meant so much to me in my life. It has so much history and meaning to me that I’d love to get back there.”

Woods: My priorities have changed a lot

The veteran also stated that family commitments have gotten in the way of his training of late, and might have hindered his recovery from the injury, as devoting time to his two children takes priority over golf.

“I need to get back physically,” he continued. “I know that the mind is sharp, I just need to get the body willing to do it. That’s the hard part, is getting the prep time in. I haven’t been able to train like I used to or practice like I used to, so it’s been harder.

“But my priorities have changed a lot. My kids now dominate my life, and that’s a good thing.

“My dad would always make sure when we talked he never sat above me, he always made sure he was eye level so he was talking to me and not down to me.

“I do the same thing with my kids. It’s amazing the bond that you can build that way.”

It would be great to see Woods fit again, but he faces a struggle to make the field for Augusta.