Report: Woods likely won't return until Masters

From news services

Tiger Woods intends to remain out of golf at least until the Masters, the Associated Press reported, citing two unidentified sources with knowledge of his plans.

Woods has been practicing at Isleworth near his Orlando home the last two weeks, and swing coach Hank Haney flew there during the weekend to work with him. That led to speculation Thursday he was close to playing again.

The two people, who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because only Woods is supposed to release such information, say he is likely to play first at Augusta National in April.

Woods twice has gone nine weeks without competing before showing up at a major. The first time was in 2006, when he didn't play after the Masters while coping with his father's death, then missed the cut in a major for the first time in the U.S. Open at Winged Foot. Two years ago, he was out with knee surgery until winning the U.S. Open at Torrey Pines on a shattered left knee.

Woods has not played since Nov. 15, when he won the Australian Masters in Melbourne for his 82nd career victory.

Woods was in a single-car accident near his home in Isleworth, Fla., on Nov. 27. The accident triggered a host of professional and personal problems for Woods. Multiple allegations of marital infidelity surfaced, and Woods said on his Web site that he would take an indefinite leave of absence from golf.

In a public apology last month, Woods said he wasn't ruling out a return to golf this year.

Meanwhile, the New York Post is reporting that Woods has hired Ari Fleischer, former press secretary to President George W. Bush, for help.

Fleischer, who started Ari Fleischer Sports Communications in 2008, advised Mark McGwire during the baseball player's belated admission that he used steroids during his career.

Staff writer Kristi E. Swartz contributed to this article.