Woods’ appearance at Chapultepec Golf Club tomorrow will be his first in the central American country, despite having been playing on the professional tour for more than 20 years.

In a press conference on the eve of the event the 43-year-old, who gained the "Comeback of the Year" prize at the Laureus Sports Awards on Monday (February 18) for his performances last season, revealed he had planned to play in Mexico a few times only to be prevented by injury.

"This is very special," he said.

"I was scheduled to play here a couple of times.

"Unfortunately my back wasn’t very good and I had to go in to have a couple of procedures done.

"So this is exciting for me to be here in Mexico City to play it for the first time.

"This is going to be an exciting week."

Woods has won 18 WGC events to date, and insists it is the occasion rather than the course that brings out his best play, meaning not having played the course in Mexico before will not faze him.

"I take a lot of pride in playing well in the big events," he said.

"I think my record has been pretty good in those events."

Even with the appearance of Woods, the favourite in the first of four WGC events this year is considered to be another American player Justin Thomas.

The 25-year-old, currently ranked fourth in the world, holds the course record at Chapultepec having shot a 62 in the third round last year and he also has the best scoring average of everyone in the field.

On both his previous appearances at the WGC-Mexico Championship the one-time Major champion has finished in the top five, and he comes into this year’s event having finished as runner up in last week’s Professional Golfers Association Tour event in California, the Genesis Open.

The tournament will begin at 11:03 local time tomorrow when a three-ball of Tryell Hatton from England, George Coetzee from South Africa and the US’ Chez Reavie tee-off.

Woods is due to start his first round at 13:03 and Thomas at 11:51.