Tiger Woods has insisted that he is still desperate to challenge for Majors ahead of The Open.

The former world number one will look to rediscover his best form at St Andrews, the scene of his victories in 2000 and 2005, with a strong performance in the third Major of the year, and he has dismissed suggestions that he can no longer compete with the world's best players.

"I know some of you guys think I'm buried and done, but I'm still right here in front of you," Woods, who has fallen to 241st in the world rankings, told reporters. "I love playing. I love competing, and I love playing these events.

"My body is finally healed up from the back surgery from last year. Other athletes say it takes nearly a year to get back to fitness, and I have changed the golf swing on the back of that; so it's been a struggle but I am getting there."

Woods won the last of his 14 Major titles at the US Open in 2008.