The countdown to Tiger Woods' return to golf began on Wednesday morning when he announced he is to start his comeback in The Masters at Augusta.
Golf's No.1 has decided not to have a warm-up event, but to start facing the world again at the opening major of the season on April 8-11.
When Woods tees off it will be 144 days since he last competed, 132 days since the car crash outside his home which sent him into hiding as a shocking sex scandal hit the headlines and destroyed his image - and just 25 days since he said he might not play this year.
In a media release the 34-year-old father-of-two, who is reported to be living apart from his Swedish wife Elin, said: "The major championships have always been a special focus in my career and, as a professional, I think Augusta is where I need to be, even though it's been a while since I last played."
"I have undergone almost two months of inpatient therapy and I am continuing my treatment. Although I'm returning to competition, I still have a lot of work to do in my personal life."
"When I finally got into a position to think about competitive golf again, it became apparent to me that The Masters would be the earliest I could play."
"I called both Joe Lewis and Arnold Palmer and expressed my regrets for not attending the Tavistock Cup (next week) and the Arnold Palmer Invitational (on March 25-28)."
"I again want to thank them both for their support and their understanding. Those are fantastic tournaments and I look forward to competing in them again."
"I would also like to thank the Augusta National members and staff for their support. I have deep appreciation for everything that they do to create a wonderful event for the benefit of the game."
Augusta National chairman Billy Payne said in a separate statement: "We support Tiger's decision to return to competitive golf beginning at this year's Masters tournament."
"Additionally, we support and encourage his stated commitment to continue the significant work required to rebuild his personal and professional life."
Woods last played on November 15, winning the Australian Masters in Melbourne and taking his total of professional victories to 92.
Twelve days later his life went into meltdown after the early-hours accident outside his Florida mansion in which he hit a fire hydrant and a tree.
A string of affairs came to light in the days and weeks that followed and eventually Woods admitted on his website to 'transgressions' and then used the same forum to announce he was taking an indefinite break from the game to try to save his marriage.
Some of his sponsors have either dropped him or distanced themselves from him since then and it was not until February 19 that he finally made a public appearance.
It was merely to read a statement rather than answer questions, however, and only towards the end of his 13-minute guilt-ridden, apology-laden address to family and friends at the headquarters of the PGA Tour did he actually mention his career.
"I do plan to return to golf one day, I just don't know when that day will be," he said.
"I don't rule out that it will be this year. When I do return, I need to make my behaviour more respectful of the game."
That seemed to hint