Woods was among the first players to practice at Sawgrass

The American has won just once in 10 starts at the event, with only one runner-up finish, but as ever he will still be the man to beat.

However, Woods insists the tournament is wide open as Sawgrass does not favour long hitters.

"Anyone can win here," said Woods, who has won two of his past three starts.

"The beauty of this course is that we're all playing (second shots) from about the same spot.

It's as close to being the best tournament in the world as could be Padraig Harrington

"There really is no advantage to taking out a driver and bombing it down there, because of the trouble obviously, but also how everything pitches in."

The tournament is widely regard as the unofficial fifth major because of the strength of the field.

"We all look at the field each and every year and it's probably the best one," said Tiger Woods.

Ireland's Padraig Harrington added: "I'm sure one day we'll be sitting here saying the fifth major.

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"No question it's as close to being the best tournament in the world as could be, except for the fact obviously it doesn't have the heritage of the four majors.

"It's definitely the number one field and the number one test and the most exciting. And the fact that we go back makes it a little bit like Augusta, you're going back continually."

And 1992 US Open champion Tom Kite also believes the golf calendar could incorporate another showpiece event.