TIGER WOODS is predicting an awkward and emotion-packed Masters champions dinner.

The five-time Augusta winner finally returns to action this week, having not played since The Open last July.

But the golf legend is already bracing himself for what could be a tasty meet-up in more ways than one in April.

That’s when the Masters icon will dine with other past Augusta champions – including LIV rebels.

Woods, 47, is trying to focus on the Genesis Invitational, starting on Thursday.

But he knows the Masters in two months’ time will be a huge occasion – on and off the course.

Half a dozen big names of the LIV circuit will join the dinner – “hosted” by 2022 champion Scottie Scheffler.

The controversial six – Phil Mickelson, Patrick Reed, Bubba Watson, Dustin Johnson, Charl Schwartzel and Sergio Garcia – can expect a tricky reception.

Woods, along with Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy, has been one of the strongest critics of the Saudi-backed LIV breakaway circuit.

The Californian accused the rebels of “disregarding” and “disrespecting” the PGA Tour, as well as showing “animosity” towards it.

And the 15-time Major champ said: “The champions dinner is going to be obviously something that’s talked about.

“We need to honour Scottie. Scottie’s the winner, it’s his dinner. 

“So making sure that Scottie gets honoured correctly but also realising the nature of what has transpired and the people that have left, just where our situations are either legally, emotionally, there’s a lot there.”

And on how LIV players could be treated, he added:  “I don’t know what that reaction’s going to be. 

“I know that some of our friendships have certainly taken a different path, but we’ll see when all that transpires.”