Tiger's icy recovery plan crucial to Masters chances

Step by painful step, Tiger Woods made an amazing return to golf on Thursday at the Masters, yet the key to his green jacket chances could come from icy recovery treatments.

The 15-time major winner spent more than five hours and 20 minutes hiking the hills of Augusta National on his way to a one-under par 71, putting himself in contention only 14 months after suffering severe right leg injuries in a car crash.

"To get from there to here, it was no easy task," Woods said. "If you would have seen how my leg looked to where it's at now - some of the guys know. They've seen the pictures."

Woods spent weeks hospitalised and months unable to walk. The rods, pins and screws that hold his leg together held up under an 18-hole stress test that saw him walk well behind his rivals and use a club as a walking stick at times.

To get himself ready for another 18 holes Friday afternoon, Woods will use an ice bath to reduce the swelling even as the 46-year-old superstar hopes to maximise leg strength for power in his shotmaking.

"Lots of treatments. Lots of ice. Lots of ice baths. Just basically freezing myself to death. That's just part of the deal," Woods said.

"And getting all the swelling out as best as we possibly can and getting it mobile and warmed up, activated and explosive for the next day. Those are two totally different ends of the spectrum."

Woods declared his ability to play a victory, achieved with the help of a group of physio-therapists.

"My team has been incredible at getting me into this position so that I can compete. I'll take it from there," Woods said. "I know how to play. I've just got to get out there where I can play."

Woods, who has dropped to 973rd in the world rankings, said he feels his game is solid enough to win