Hot Woods relishing tough new benchmark

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Beating the world's best players on the most difficult courses has become the benchmark for Tiger Woods who believes he is playing the best golf of his career.

The remarkable world number one returns to PGA Tour action in two weeks when he bids for a ninth tournament victory in 10 appearances worldwide and a seventh in a row.

After clinching his 63rd PGA Tour title at last week's WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship, Woods told reporters he was relishing his best ever form.

Comparisons are often made with his golden season in 2000 when he triumphed nine times on the PGA Tour, including the last three majors of the year, but he disagrees.

"For a while now I've said my game has improved since 2000, and it's not just about the W's," Woods said in his monthly newsletter on Thursday, referring to wins (W's).

"It's something I've been saying internally and until recently, no one picked up on it. In 2000, I played in 20 PGA Tour events and won nine times.

"In 2006, I played in 15 tournaments and won eight times and last year I played in 16 and won seven. The point is, I'm playing in fewer events on the toughest courses against the best fields.

"That's why I feel my game has progressed and why I feel so good about all the hard work I have put in."

Woods, a 13-times major winner, raised a few eyebrows at Dove Mountain last week with talk of a perfect season in 2008.

PERFECT SEASON

"I have been asked whether I think I can go undefeated this year," he added. "I pointed out that when I was 11, I went 36-0 so I've already had a perfect season.

"Is it realistic? No. But why would you go to a tournament if you don't think you can win? That's my expectation of myself. That's the way I think and how I've always played golf.

"I'm very excited about the way my year has begun. Three wins in three starts was just what I had in mind."

Woods won last month's Buick Invitational in his first PGA Tour appearance of the year before clinching the European Tour's Dubai Desert Classic the following week.

Apart from his perfect start to the season, Woods has taken great delight in his short game, especially his chipping and bunker play.

"At times, they were a weakness last year and I worked hard on both areas during the off-season," the 32-year-old American said.

"One of the reasons I have struggled with my chipping is because I hit so many greens in regulation, when I miss one, I'm out of rhythm and not as sharp as I should be.

"It's just one of those things when you have time to practice, you get better. I worked so much on my swing, it cost my short game and putting. Now I feel a lot more comfortable with both."

Woods is scheduled to return the PGA Tour for the March 13-16 Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill in Orlando, Florida.

(Editing by Ed Osmond)