Tiger in "Vintage" Form, Golfers Say

Tiger Woods is back in "vintage" form and will threaten the leaderboard at next month's Masters tournament, two practice partners told Reuters news agency.

The world's premier golfer is emerging from a self-imposed exile after a barrage of revelations detailing extramarital affairs destroyed his squeaky clean image, costing him numerous sponsors and threatening his marriage in the process.

John Cook, an American with 11 PGA tour wins to his credit, played with Woods last week and said there were no ill effects from the five-month layoff.

"Vintage, I'd be hard pressed to see anyone beat him. That being said, you have to go up to the first green and mark your ball and you have to finish out and sign your name at the end of the day, that's a whole different deal," Cook told Reuters.

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Arjun Atwal played with Woods several times last week and said he's hitting the ball farther than in his last tournament appearance in November.

"He's killing it, he's absolutely killing it."

Atwal also said that Woods appears relaxed on the course, even amid the tumult in his personal life.

"He's very mellow now, he's very chilled out. Obviously whatever is going on at home I don't know, I don't even ask him. When he is out with us you can see that he is more at peace right now. I think he is doing all the right things," he said.

On Sunday, Woods gave his first two interviews since his personal scandal erupted following a bizarre car accident the day after Thanksgiving.

"A lot has transpired in my life. A lot of ugly things have happened. ... I've done some pretty bad things in my life," he told ESPN.

Appearing on the Golf Channel, he described his actions as "disgusting."

"It was hurtful. But then again, you know what? I did it. And I'm the one who did those things. And looking back on it now, with a more clear head, I get it. I can understand why people would say those things. Because you know what? It was disgusting behavior. It's hard to believe that was me, looking back on it now."

Woods again insisted that the details of the Nov. 27 night would remain between him and his wife, Elin.

He also admitted to feeling "a little nervous" about returning to competitive golf at the Masters.

"It would be nice to hear a couple claps here and there," he told ESPN.