Ponte Vedra Beach (Florida), May 7 (IANS): Tiger Woods has said qualifying for the 2016 Rio Olympics is "very important" as golf prepares to return to the Olympic fold after a 112-year absence. However, the world's most famous golfer will have to work hard to gain the ticket.

Woods, who has won 14 Majors, has slipped to 125th in 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 country or region is limited to four entries if those players are in top-15 or two entries if outside the top 15, reports Xinhua.

The United States currently has eight players in the world's top 15 and there are 53 Americans currently ranked above Woods. But with qualification not closing until July 2016, the former World No.1 believes he still has a good chance.

Asked about the Olympics ahead of The Players Championship which begins in Florida on Thursday, Woods said: "It's very important. 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."

Woods said he will play more tournaments in order to have a chance of representing his country at the Games.

"Making my way up from where I'm at is going to take consistency and I need wins. It's something that I've done when I've made my comebacks before," said Woods.