Tiger Woods is feeling the tension ahead of his return to golf after four months in self-imposed exile.

Woods, giving his first interview since the November car crash outside his home which was the trigger for a slew of revelations about his private life, is set to return to action at the Masters in Augusta on April 8.

The 14-time major winner is expected to protected from too much media intrusion at Augusta, but it is the reception from the fans that is giving the American most cause for concern.

Asked what he expected from the crowd, Woods told ESPN: "I don't know. I don't know. I'm a little nervous about that to be honest with you.

"It would be nice to hear a couple of claps here and there. But also hope they clap for birdies, too.

"I'm excited to get back and play. I'm excited to get to see the guys again. I really miss a lot of my friends out there. I miss competing."

Woods announced he was taking an "indefinite break" from golf in December, and two months later confessed to a number of extra-marital affairs in a lengthy statement.

Woods admitted his life had become a "lie" prior to entering rehabilitation.

He said: "I was living a life of a lie, I really was. And I was doing a lot of things, like I said, that hurt a lot of people.

"Stripping away denial and rationalisation, you start coming to the truth of who you really are and that can be very ugly."