Tiger ready to contend at PGA after 'climbing Everest' at The Masters

Tiger Woods insists he can contend for a 16th major title this week at the PGA Championship, five weeks on from ‘climbing Everest’ in his competitive return at The Masters.

Woods marked his first appearance in nearly 17 months with a 47th finish at the opening men's major of the year, his first top-level event since sustaining career-threatening leg injuries in last February's car crash.

The former world No 1 admitted the aftermath of his competitive comeback "was not fun", although took just one day off before resuming training to prepare for his appearance at Southern Hills.

Woods, who won the most recent of his four PGA Championship titles when the Tulsa venue hosted the event in 2007, believes he will find it easier to play courses which are not as undulating as Augusta National.

"There was a huge lull, Monday [smiling] that was it," Woods said about his post-Masters rehabilitation. "That was it. Monday, it was not fun. It hurt. Ice baths and just trying to get the swelling out of there. Then we went back at it, leg day on Tuesday and we kept going from there.

"Figured the first mountain you climbed was Everest. That's the steepest golf course you're going to play and that was the first one you climbed. It's going to get flatter and better. But still, I still have tough days, and things aren't going to be as easy as people might think.

"I feel like I'm doing better. I'm having more days which are better, more positive. Able to practice a little bit longer. I'm able to do activities and things that I was hoping to do, and I'm finally able to do them."

Woods has been grouped alongside four-time major champion Rory McIlroy and three-time major champion Jordan Spieth, who can complete the career Grand Slam with a