Tiger Woods is "very confident" he'll be able to play in next year's Masters, the world's top golfer told ESPN.

In an interview with the sports network, Woods said the Masters would be 10 months after his knee surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament. He added that football players typically recover from similar ACL surgeries in six to nine months.

Woods told ESPN that his left knee is pain-free, but he won't be able to rotate the knee -- or swing a golf club -- until next year. Woods wasn't able to give specifics on when next year he could start golfing again, he said that the exact timetable was up to his doctors.

Woods said it will take about two years for his knee to be completely healed, but that it should be 85 percent healed within six months.

For now, the 14-time major champion said he is rehabilitating his knee through swimming, cardio exercises and weights.

While Woods is hoping to play in the Masters, he was unsure of when he'd be able to play in tune-up tournaments. He told ESPN that he would not enter a tournament if he didn't think he could win it.

Next year's Masters is slated for April 9.