Tiger Woods insists he is close to making a return to his best form, despite his recent run of results.

This season has been another poor one for the world number one and although he managed a tie for 32nd at June’s Greenbrier Classic, that result came sandwiched between missed cuts at both the US Open and the Open Championship.

After taking last week off, Woods returns to competitive action at the Quicken Loans Championship on Thursday, an event he won both in 2007 and 2012.

The 39-year-old’s form means he is currently 51.00 for the victory, with defending champion Justin Rose the 9.00 favourite, closely followed by Rickie Fowler, who is priced at 10.00.

However, the former world number one’s lack of consistency in recent years means making the cut at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Virginia would be considered a success by those around the game who have seen his powers significantly diminish in recent years.

Woods admits his form since winning his 14th and last major at the 2008 US Open has left him extremely disheartened but is confident that after spending yet more time on the practice ground, his game is close to returning.

He told reporters: “It’s frustrating not being able to win golf tournaments, not really being there in contention very often … but I know how close it feels and I know I just need a couple of shots here and there and it turns the tide.”

“People don’t really realise how close it is between a person who is winning (a tournament) and a person missing the cut.”