Tiger Woods is "very confident" of taking part in the Masters next April.
Speaking to US sports network ESPN last week, the world's number one golfer revealed that he should return to action for the first Major of the 2009 season.
Woods has not played golf since undergoing surgery on knee ligaments in the aftermath of his US Open victory at Torrey Pines in June.
Although he does not expect to swing a club until after Christmas, the 32-year-old indicated that his recovery is progressing well.
"If I have six months off from surgery, that puts me into January - and another four months puts me at ten months. I figure I can come back after ten months," Woods said.
Despite the 14-time Major winner's lengthy spell on the sidelines, Paddy Power makes Woods the 15/8 favourite to win the Masters in April.
He has triumphed at Augusta four times in the past, with his last victory coming in 2005.
At 11/4, Woods is also the bookmaker's favourite to win The Open Championship at Turnberry in July.
Tiger Woods is "very confident" of taking part in the Masters next April.