Twice former U.S. Masters champion Jose Maria Olazabal, who was plagued by injury last year, will return to competitive action at this week's Andalucia Open.

"This is just a test, nothing else," the 42-year-old Spaniard said in a news release on Monday. "It does not mean I am back on a regular basis.

"I am going to test myself and see how I feel, how does my body react. I am coming to the Aloha Golf Club with doubts, I am not sure whether it will be a matter of just one week and then back home, or I can continue playing some more tournaments."

Olazabal, who has had persistent problems with rheumatism, won the U.S. Masters in 1994 and 1999 and has 21 other European Tour victories to his name.

He has played in the Ryder Cup seven times and established a formidable partnership with fellow Spaniard Seve Ballesteros.

Olazabal said he was coming back to the tour despite feeling less than 100 percent fit.

"I would not like people to get a wrong idea of the situation, I don't want anybody to think I am back," he said.

"I am not completely recovered, neither am I feeling 100 percent."

The Andalucia Open starts on Thursday.

Reuters