Tiger Woods on the mend, to play 2 events next week

LOS ANGELES – Tiger Woods said Friday his troublesome left Achilles tendon felt fine in practice and he’s ready to tee it up in two events next week.

In an article posted on his website, the 14-time major champion said the tendon didn’t bother him when he hit practice balls for the first time since he pulled out of the final round at Doral last Sunday after 11 holes.

He therefore plans to play the Tavistock Cup – a two-day match between PGA players from private clubs on Monday and Tuesday – then the US PGA Tour’s Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill.

Woods has won at Bay Hill six times and the tournament will again serve as his final tune-up for the Masters, the first major championship of 2012 which starts April 5 at Augusta National.

Woods, who missed two major championships last year because of left leg injuries that included an Achilles problem, said his decision to pull out of the final round at Doral was a precaution.

“I decided to be smart about it and not risk further injury,” Woods said.

On Thursday, Woods said in a television appearance that he was on track to play the Masters, and that he’d had daily treatment that had already relieved the stiffness in his ailing ankle.