Tiger Woods fit to play in World Golf Championships at Doral

Tiger Woods withdrew from the Honda Classic on Sunday

World number one Tiger Woods will play in the World Golf Championships at Doral despite withdrawing injured from the Honda Classic on Sunday.

The 38-year-old American pulled out of the final round of the tournament in Florida because of a back injury.

But Woods confirmed he would take part in the WGC event in Miami, which starts on Thursday and forms a key part of the build-up to the Masters on 10 April.

"I feel better. I feel good," said Woods.

Tiger Woods won the 2013 World Golf Championships at Doral by two shots

"It has been a long couple of days of just treatment non-stop, trying to get it to calm down and trying to get everything firing in the proper sequence. It feels good."

Woods hit a five-under-par 65 on Saturday to move into contention in Florida but was five-over-par in his final round when he withdrew on the 13th hole.

His involvement at the WGC was in doubt but he has decided to defend the title he won at Doral in 2013.

Describing his injury, he said: "It comes and goes. I thought I could play through it but I couldn't. Sometimes it gets better. Others, I just deal with it."

Woods will be grouped with Australian world number two Adam Scott and Sweden's Henrik Stenson for the opening two rounds.

Scott could go top of the world rankings if he wins the event and Woods fails to finish in the top 10 but the American said his main focus was to be ready for the Masters at Augusta, where the last of his four victories came in 2005.

He said: "I want to be strong and fit and healthy to play that golf course and give it my best.

"We're taking a really good look at it and trying to come up with a good plan to play that course and trying to win my fifth Green Jacket."