US golfer Tiger Woods answers questions during a news conference before the start of the AT&T National golf tournament at the Aronimink Golf course in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, in this June 28, 2011 file photo. [Photo/Agencies]

* Has not played tournament golf since May 12

MIAMI - Tiger Woods, who has missed the last two majors because of leg injuries, will return to competition at next week's WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in Akron, Ohio, the former world number one said on Thursday.

A seven-times winner of the event at Firestone Country Club, Woods has not played tournament golf since he pulled out of the Players Championship in May after completing just nine holes.

"I'm excited to get back out there," the 35-year-old American said on his official website (http://web.tigerwoods.com/index).

He posted on his Twitter account: "Feeling fit and ready to tee it up at Firestone next week. Excited to get back out there!"

While enjoying remarkable success in 11 appearances at Firestone, Woods tied for 78th last year, the first time he had ever finished outside the top four at the elite WGC event.

However, he will have to shake off plenty of rust when he tees off in next Thursday's opening round. According to his website, he has only recently resumed hitting practice balls -- on the advice of his doctors.

Woods, a 14-times major champion, hurt his left knee ligaments and Achilles tendon during the Masters in April and has not competed since he withdrew from the Players Championship at Sawgrass on May 12.

He later said he made a mistake in deciding to play that tournament five weeks after hurting himself at the Masters, adding that if he had not competed there he would have been fit enough for the next two majors.