This time last year, when Tiger Woods was preparing for the Bay Hill Invitational, he was on auto-pilot. In the previous 17 tournaments, he had won 10 times and the aura of invincibility was encased in a titanium shell; so, it came as a surprise to no one when he added Arnold Palmer's own tournament - played on a course in Tiger's backyard - to the victory march.

A year on, and his game more fragile than at any time in his career, the world number one is getting ready for the defence of his Bay Hill crown this week - but, even so, he readily admits his main thoughts are already focused on next month's US Masters, the one major that is currently not in his grasp.

Even though there is a body of opinion that argues that a Woods win in Augusta would not constitute a Grand Slam, the player himself doesn't hold to that. "This Masters is special because I would have the chance to hold all four majors simultaneously . . . that doesn't really present itself very often and I have an opportunity, and hopefully I can play well at the right time," said Woods.

Would he consider it a Grand Slam? "I do, just because of the fact I will hold all four championships at the same time." In Dubai two weeks ago, Woods spoke of his thoughts on Augusta, but with the strict understanding that they wouldn't be published until Bay Hill week, he acknowledged that many of the shots he was practising were with the Masters in mind. "Anytime you play Augusta, you have to be aware of trajectory control, more so than at any other tournament because of the severity of the greens. When you are out there you have to be sure you are coming into the greens with the right spin. If you come in with the wrong spin, and land on the wrong side of the slope, then you are going to be in a world of hurt."

He added: "I enjoy the challenge of Augusta, the fact that you have to use your creativity. At most tournaments, it's automatically a lob wedge into the greens; at Augusta, there are so many different shots you can play and that is one of the reasons why we all enjoy playing that golf course, because of the different options it presents us."

This knowledge of what is going on at Augusta simply reaffirms the impression that all Woods is thinking about is the Masters, and that everything else is designed for getting him into the right shape and frame of mind for that week. "Hopefully, that week, I can get my swing in check and get my emotions in check because any time you play a major championship it is a long week for your emotions as well as physically."

Woods is without a win so far this season and reappears for the defence of his Bay Hill Invitational in Orlando this week and also takes in next week's Players Championship at Sawgrass before taking a week off before playing in the Masters.