ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates — Tiger Woods says he’s starting a season healthy for the first time in at least eight years.

“It’s been quite a few years since I’ve been physically fit,” Woods said on Tuesday in his first appearance at the Abu Dhabi Championship.

“So I’m looking forward to getting out there and giving it a full season, which I haven’t done in a while.”

Woods’ confidence got a boost when he ended 2011 by winning his Chevron World Challenge in December for his first title in more than two years.

“I’m looking forward to this year,” Woods said. “That’s something that I have to say, because I was able to prepare and get fit enough to prepare last year and towards the end of the year. I demonstrated to myself what I can do with implementing what (coach Sean Foley) wants me to do on the golf swing.”