Woods hoping for a handy recovery

Shaking hands is a risky business for Tiger Woods

Tiger Woods is hoping that his recovery from flu will coincide with an upturn in form.

The world number one lost to 64th-seeded Peter O'Malley of Australia in the first round of last week's World Match Play.

But he is hoping that the Genuity Championship, which start this week, will be the perfect springboard for the US Masters on 11 April.

Woods said: "The good news is that I'm finally healthy and rested.

Someone asked me why I get so many colds and the answer is simple: when you shake as many hands as I do, you're bound to catch a few germs

Tiger Woods

"I had the flu at Pebble Beach and lost about five pounds, which is five pounds I can't afford to lose.

"Then, I caught a cold at the Buick Invitational, didn't have much energy, and couldn't shake it until the end of the week.

"Someone asked me why I get so many colds and the answer is simple: when you shake as many hands as I do, you're bound to catch a few germs."

"As I've always said, golf is a fickle game. Last year, I started slowly, then got hot just before the Masters.

"I don't know what will happen this year. All I can do is work hard and try my best on every shot.

"That's what I have always done and it has worked out pretty well so far."