Tiger on the prowl in 77th Masters

AUGUSTA, Georgia (AFP) –

Tiger Woods of the US tees off during the first round of the 77th Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2013 in Augusta, Georgia. Woods teed off Thursday morning in the 77th Masters in search of his first major title since the 2008 US Open and his first Masters triumph since taking his fourth in 2005.

Top-ranked Tiger Woods teed off Thursday morning in the 77th Masters in search of his first major title since the 2008 US Open and his first Masters triumph since taking his fourth in 2005.

The 37-year-old American, a 14-time major champion chasing the record 18 career majors won by Jack Nicklaus, is making his 19th appearance at Augusta National, where he won his first major title back in 1997.

Woods has struggled in recent years with injuries and the aftermath of his infamous sex scandal, but has won six times in the past year to serve notice that he has regained the form of his glory days, although the comeback still lacks a major title.

Woods has won this year at Torrey Pines, Doral and Bay Hill. The last time he won his two final tuneups for the Masters, he wound up winning the 2001 title at Augusta National for his fourth major triumph in a row, the “Tiger Slam.”