Tiger Woods plays 18 holes at Augusta ahead of crucial Masters decision

Tiger Woods has played a practice round at Augusta National as he ponders whether to compete in next week's Masters.

The opening day of 2015's first major commences on Thursday 9 April and it remains to be seen whether the former world number one will announce his return from his indefinite break from golf.

As a four-time winner of the Masters, Woods has a lifetime invitation and is not facing a deadline to commit to the competition.

But after playing 18 practice holes his agent Mark Steinberg insisted no final decision has been met yet.

"Tiger clearly is working hard and he will advise as to when he is ready to play competitively," Steinberg told ESPN.

Woods endured an injury-ravaged 2014 that also saw him miss last year's Masters and has not played since withdrawing from the Farmers Insurance Open in February.

Woods had previously shot a career worst 82 to finish joint-last at the Phoenix Open in January and went onto complete just 11 holes at Torrey Pines before withdrawing with another back problem.

During his absence – which also forced him out of the Arnold Palmer Invitational – the 14-time major champion dropped out of the world's top 100 for the first time in his career.

"He's expecting to make the team," Love told BBC Sport. "He and I keep in touch a lot more than we have. He still has a good attitude and is working hard. I spoke to a few people who tell me he's working very hard and is eager to get back. I suppose he has a plan for the Masters – we're hoping to see him back soon.

"He is anxious about getting back to playing so he can get some points for that, then he can think about Ryder Cup. I wouldn't count him out just yet."