Tiger Woods' announcement that he will make his return to professional golf at The Masters at Augusta next month has been welcomed by many of his peers.
Woods has not played since winning the Australian Masters in November after taking an indefinite break from the sport to concentrate on his private life in the wake of his admission to a string of affairs.
He broke his silence on February 19 but did not give any indication when he would return to the sport, leading to speculation that he would not play at all during 2010.
However, he will end his self-imposed exile at the first major of the year, where security is renowned, a decision which has not come as a surprise to his fellow professionals.
"We want the best player in the world out playing golf again," Jim Furyk told the Golf Channel.
"He's got to do what's best for him. I realize looking at the big picture it's good for everyone. What's good for the best player in the world is probably good for the big picture and the PGA TOUR.
"You never bet against him. In the last 22 months, he's played, what, 15 events? ... He's been able to overcome it before. He seems to be able to take a bunch of time off and pop right up there and be the same old guy. Not many players, no one that I know of, are actually capable of that. But he does it well."
Close friend and 1998 Masters champion Mark O'Meara added: "Augusta is the perfect venue for him to do that, he has had such great success there.
"It has been a very difficult time in Tiger's life and his family's life and maybe the better place for him to be is out on a golf course that is what he loves to do."
Rocco Mediate lost a thrilling 18-hole playoff to Woods at the 2008 US Open and he believes the world number one has the ability to win the Masters despite not having played since November.
"If he wins the Masters, it will not be a surprise to me," he said. "I know he hasn't been around for a while, and I know he's been through hell but physically he's ok and mentally he's got to deal with it. But if anyone can do it. He can do it. If anyone can pull this off, he'll pull it off."
John Daly, meanwhile, is delighted the 14-time major winner has decided to return and believes Augusta will allow him to focus entirely on golf.
"Business as usual, him being inside the ropes, he'll be focused on what he needs to do," Daly said.
"I really thought he'd play Bay Hill, a tournament before Augusta just to get it all out.
"The thing about Augusta is its (one of the best) security tournaments of all. It's not like you can just walk in and buy a ticket, so it's tough and there's less crowds.
"It's going to be all business for Tiger. Me personally, I'm glad to see him back. I don't think it's a comeback for Tiger. Tiger doesn't have anything to prove to anybody."