SYDNEY: Tiger Woods will play at the Australian Open in November in his first trip back Down Under since his personal life unraveled just after a victory at Melbourne in 2009.

Golf Australia announced on Monday that Woods would join a field for the November 10-13 tournament at The Lakes in Sydney that already includes Dustin Johnson, Bubba Watson, defending champion Geoff Ogilvy and Presidents Cup captains Greg Norman and Fred Couples.

The 14-time major champion has plummeted to No. 21 in the world - his lowest ranking since January 26, 1997 - and has gone more than 20 months since his last win, at the 2009 Australian Masters in Melbourne, shortly before he was exposed for having multiple extramarital affairs that led to divorce.

Woods has announced that he'll return this week at the Bridgestone Invitational after missing two majors during an 11-week break to make sure his left leg was fully healed.

Woods will be among the big names of golf competing at Australia in November, in and around the Presidents Cup in Melbourne.

"I haven't played in the tournament since 1996, and I'm anxious to return," Woods said in a statement released by Golf Australia. "I have a great affinity for playing golf in Australia and I'm looking forward to competing against an outstanding field."

"Tiger's presence in Australia's most prestigious tournament will further enhance what is certain to be a huge summer of Australian golf," PGA of Australia chief executive Brian Thorburn said in a statement. "The PGA is expecting record crowds and record television audiences, in particular for the Australian Open and PGA Championship."