Feeling rusty but ready to play again, Tiger Woods said Friday he would return to competition next week at Congressional in the Quicken Loans National. Woods last played on March 9 at Doral, where he dealt with pain in his lower back and closed with a 78 for his highest final-round score on the PGA Tour. He had back surgery March 31, forcing him to miss the Masters for the first time. He also missed the U.S. Open last week at Pinehurst No. 2. The announcement on his Facebook page delivered a jolt of good news to golf. Woods has been the games biggest draw since he turned pro in 1996, and with limited information about his recovery, speculation was starting to build that he might not make it to any majors this year. "After a lot of therapy, I have recovered well and will be supporting my foundation next week at the Quicken Loans National," Woods said on Facebook. "Ive just started to hit full shots, but its time to take the next step. I will be a bit rusty, but I want to play myself back into competitive shape. Excited for the challenge ahead." This is the first year for a new title sponsor at the PGA Tour event that donates its charity money to the Tiger Woods Foundation, and the tournament earlier this year secured an agreement to return to Congressional every other year through 2020. Woods on Thursday announced that he signed a new endorsement deal with MusclePharm, which will display its logo on his golf bag. "He has been the face of golf for the last 15, 20 years, and golf is a better sport and a better place with Tiger Woods in it," two-time major champion Rory McIlroy said last week at the U.S. Open. "So hopefully, he has a speedy recovery and he gets back on the course soon, because any tournament where Tiger Woods is a factor, he creates a big buzz." This is the second-longest break Woods has taken from golf because of injury. He missed the second half of the 2008 season when he had reconstructive surgery on his left knee just a week after winning the U.S. Open for his 14th major. Even though he spent the off-season working on his body, there were signs early that something might be wrong. He missed the 54-hole cut at Torrey Pines, where he was the defending champion and an eight-time winner at one of his favourite courses. He had his worst finish ever at Dubai when he tied for 41st. Then, he withdrew in the final round of the Honda Classic because of back spasms, and despite being in the penultimate group at Doral, he struggled badly with his back on the final day after taking a swing from an awkward stance outside a bunker. Woods had microdiscectomy surgery a week before the Masters, and he has said in rare appearances that he did not know how long it would take to properly heal. His agent, Mark Steinberg at Excel Sports Management, said earlier this week that Woods was making enough progress to extend his swing. Even so, playing the Quicken Loans National was thought to be too soon. It couldnt come soon enough for the tournament. "Were thrilled, obviously," said Mike Antolini, the tournament director and vice-president of championships for the Tiger Woods Foundation. "Anytime you get that call and Tiger is in your field, its really the best news you can get. The fact hes a two-time champion and the tournament hosts, were very excited for the fans." He said he expected a spike in ticket sales with Fridays announcement. The strength of Quicken Loans National field has suffered in recent years as more Europeans moved into the top 20 in the world, and they headed across the Atlantic Ocean as the European Tour headed places like Ireland, France and Scotland leading up to the British Open. Adam Scott, who has replaced Woods at No. 1 in the world while he has been out, is not planning to return to Congressional this year. "To be honest, we were prepared regardless for a good event," Antolini said. "Our ticket sales, we think theyre going to be increased on this news now." Three years ago, Woods withdrew after nine holes at The Players Championship because of an Achilles tendon injury and missed more than two months. He said then he had learned from past mistakes and would not try to return before he was in full health. Assuming he is at full strength now, he likely will be at the British Open at Royal Liverpool and the PGA Championship at Valhalla, where he won majors the last time they were held on those courses. Woods been stuck on 14 majors since that 08 U.S. Open victory. Woods is at No. 207 in the FedEx Cup -- having played only three events -- and could have as many as five events to reach the top 125. He also is at No. 67 in the Ryder Cup standings. U.S. captain Tom Watson has said he would use a wild-card pick on Woods, though he had eased off that position in recent weeks when the status of Woods recovery was unknown. Jean-Sebastien Giguere Jersey .The Toronto Raptors guard, who will represent the Eastern Conference at the All-Star Game in New Orleans on Sunday, says he doesnt complain in the face of adversity "because I know this little girl is just happy for anything. Adam Henrique Jersey . A last-minute leveler ensured the two-time defending champion remained nine points ahead of Roma, which drew 0-0 at bitter rival Lazio in the capital derby. http://www.authenticduckspro.com/Corey-perry-ducks-jersey/ . Smith has spent the last three seasons with the Rockies, playing both left and right field, and has a .275 batting average with 51 homers and 181 RBIs in 487 major league games. Scott Niedermayer Jersey . - The Minnesota Vikings have ruled Christian Ponder out for Sundays game at Baltimore, because the quarterback has not yet passed all of his post-concussion tests. Ryan Getzlaf Jersey . - Urijah (The California Kid) Faber finds himself in an unaccustomed position Saturday night at UFC 175 — on the preliminary card.New York, NY (SportsNetwork.com) - John Wall supplied 24 points and 11 assists in leading the Washington Wizards to a 102-91 win over the New York Knicks on Christmas Day. Wall made a dazzling move late in the third quarter, hitting a reverse spinning layup, and then was involved in fourth-quarter scuffle. He took exception to a hard foul from Quincy Acy, retaliating with a shove. The New York forward swung his right arm as if to throw a punch before holding up. Acy received a Flagrant-2 foul and was ejected with 5:31 remaining. Wall received a technical foul. Bradley Beal had 17 points and Kris Humphries scored 14 off the bench on 7-of-9 shooting for the Wizards, who snapped a two-game losing streak with a win in their first game on Christmas since 2008. Washington earned its fourth straight win at Madison Square Garden and fifth overall against the Knicks, who have dropped eight consecutive home games, the longest streak in a single season in team history. Carmelo Anthony scored 34 points and Jose Calderon added 16 for New York, which has lost 16 of its last 17 games overall. Final Score: Oklahoma City 114, San Antonio 106 San Antonio, TX (SportsNetwork.com) - Russell Westbrook turned in another dominant performance and the Oklahoma City Thunder, minus Kevin Durant, beat the San Antonio Spurs 114-106 on Christmas Day. Westbrook totaled 34 points, 11 assists, five rebounds and five steals for the Thunder, who were without the reigning MVP Durant for a fifth straight game. Durant sprained his right ankle late in the first half of a loss to Golden State on Dec. 18. Westbrook scored 20 in the second half, helping Oklahoma City hold off a pair of Spurs rallies. Serge Ibaka added 21 points and Steven Adams donated 16 points and a career-high 15 boards. Seven Spurs reached double figures, with Matt Bonners 17 points leading the balanced attack. Tim Duncan scored 15, Cory Joseph and Tiago Splitter had 14 apiece and Manu Ginobili tallied 11 with a game-high 13 assists. Final Score: Miami 101, Cleveland 91 Miami, FL (SportsNetwork.com) - Cheers quickly turned to boos once Michael Baiamonte announced the rest of the Cleveland Cavaliers starting lineup. Dwyane Wade then went and shot the lights out in the first half. Literally. And once LeBron James finally helped put the Cavs in front early in the fourth quarter, the Miami Heat had one last surge in them. Wade netted 24 of his 31 points in the first half and the Heat spoiled James return to South Beach with a 101-91 win over the Cavaliers..dddddddddddd James, who helped the Heat to a quartet of NBA Finals appearances and a pair of titles during his four-year stay with Miami, was the first Cleveland player introduced out of its starting five. He was greeted with a standing ovation with a scattering of boos, but James wasnt able to fully sink in the reaction as Baiamonte quickly went through the rest of Clevelands lineup. The cheer was more elongated midway through the opening frame when the Heat played a video tribute. James acknowledged the applause by waving to the crowd. James finished with 30 points and eight assists. Final Score: Chicago 113, LA Lakers 93 Chicago, IL (SportsNetwork.com) - Pau Gasol faced his former team for the first time, but a showdown with Kobe Bryant will have to wait. Gasol had 23 points and 13 rebounds as the Chicago Bulls routed the Los Angeles Lakers 113-93 on Christmas Day. Gasol signed with the Bulls during the offseason after spending his previous six-plus seasons with the Lakers, winning a pair of NBA titles. The 36-year-old Bryant cited old age and sore knees as his reasons for sitting out Thursday nights game against Chicago during a pregame session with reporters. Jimmy Butler posted 21 points, six rebounds and five assists, while Derrick Rose added 20 points and six assists for Chicago, which has won five straight and eight of its last nine games. Wesley Johnson supplied 19 points and nine boards and Ed Davis provided 13 points and 14 rebounds for the Lakers, who have dropped four of their last five contests. Final Score: LA Clippers 100, Golden State 86 Los Angeles, CA (SportsNetwork.com) - Jamal Crawford scored half of his 24 points in the final quarter, and the Los Angeles Clippers overcame a sluggish start to beat the Golden State Warriors, 100-86, at Staples Center. The Clippers went 4-of-24 from the field in the opening quarter and shot 27.7 percent over the first 24 minutes, but went ahead for good with nearly 4 1/2 minutes left in the third and dominated the fourth. Chris Paul provided 22 points, and Blake Griffin chipped in 18 with 15 rebounds and six assists for the Clippers, who began a franchise-record nine-game homestand by snapping a two-game skid. Theyve won eight in a row at home. DeAndre Jordan scored 14 to go with 12 rebounds in the win. The Warriors, who lost back-to-back games for only the second time this season and fell to 23-5, received 14 points, nine boards and seven assists from Stephen Curry. Golden State suffered a 10-point defeat at Staples Center to the Lakers on Tuesday. 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