Tiger Woods on Back Injury Recovery, Surgery: 'I Got a 2nd Chance on Life'

Tiger Woods isn't taking his resurgence for granted. 

One year after his future was uncertain following spinal fusion surgery, the 14-time major champion told Mark Soltau he realizes the opportunity he's been presented with now that he's healthy. 

"I got a second chance on life," he said. "I am a walking miracle."

"I'm just really looking forward to playing," Woods added of his return to Augusta National Golf Club. "It's the best run tournament in the world. The golf course, the patrons, the entire atmosphere. It’s a golfer's heaven."

While Woods hasn't played the Masters since 2015 when he finished 17th at five-under par, he's considered the co-favorite to take home the Green Jacket. 

According to OddsShark, Woods and Rory McIlroy top the betting charts at plus-900 (bet $100 to win $900). Justin Thomas (+1000), Dustin Johnson (+1200) and Jordan Spieth (+1200) round out the top five. 

That standing has been bolstered by Woods' recent run of form. 

Although he entered 2018 with low expectations, Tiger has been on a tear of late. He finished 12th at the Honda Classic, second at the Valspar Championship and fifth at the Arnold Palmer Invitational two weeks ago. 

Given those stellar results, all eyes will be trained on the 42-year-old as he eyes his fifth Green Jacket and first since 2005 when the festivities get underway on Thursday.