Tiger Woods has said that qualifying for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games is “very important” as golf prepares to return to the Olympic fold after a 112-year absence. However, the world’s most famous golfer has his work cut out to reach Brazil next year.

Woods, who has won 14 major titles, has slipped to 125th in the world rankings following a succession of injuries and poor performances. There are 60 places in the men’s Rio 2016 golf tournament up for grabs, but each nation is limited to  four entries, if those players are in the top 15, or two entries if outside the top 15.

The USA currently has eight players in the world’s top 15, with Jordan Spieth, Bubba Watson, Jim Furyk and Dustin Johnson in the Olympic qualification places. There are 53 US golfers currently ranked above Woods, but with qualification not closing until July 2016, the former world no.1 believes he still has a good chance.

Woods was asked about the Olympic Games on Tuesday (5 May) ahead of The Players Championship, which begins in Florida on Thursday (7 May). “It’s very important,” he said. “Guys want to solidify themselves, play for not only their country, but also have a chance to do something that hasn’t been done in a very long time: win a medal in golf.

“In tennis, it means a lot to them now. But in the first year you got mixed messages from them because they were saying they needed a rest. I’ve heard some things over the years with golf when it got introduced, guys were on the fence about it, but certainly I think it’s swaying in the direction of guys all wanting to play in it.”

Woods said he will increase the number of tournaments he plays in as he bids to represent his country at the Olympic Games. “Making my way up from where I’m at is going to take consistency, and I need wins,” he said. “It’s something that I’ve done when I’ve made my comebacks before.”

You can see the latest Olympic qualifcation rankings for golf here.