Augusta – from www.dailymail.co.uk – Tiger Woods will be guarded by a ‘ring of steel’ of 90 private bodyguards – including former FBI and Secret Service agents – as well as armed deputies on his return to golf at the Masters tournament this week.

The unprecedented security is in place because of fears he may be confronted by one of his 15 alleged mistresses.

The bodyguards are thought to have been given photos of his alleged lovers, including porn star Joslyn James who has threatened to picket the tournament with a group of friends with megaphones.

One guard said last night: ‘None of these girls are allowed anywhere near him. If one photo comes out of a beautiful lady touching him, it would be a disaster.’

The course at Augusta National, Georgia, normally has a 200-strong force comprised of private security, volunteers and police to patrol the 30,000 spectators at the Masters, but The Mail on Sunday has learned that 82 extra private security guards will be in place this week.

In addition, it is believed Woods will be surrounded by eight bodyguards as a last line of defence, rather than the two who would usually accompany him around golf tournaments in the past. Woods’s personal security comes from the same firm in California supplying guards for his wife, Elin, 30.

It is not yet known whether she will go to Augusta.

Golfing insiders say that Woods, 34, is returning to the game at Augusta because of its reputation for stringent security. Members at the 365-acre club include Microsoft’s Bill Gates and Wall Street mogul Warren Buffett.

Scott Wellington, the tournament director for the Arnold Palmer Invitational, said: ‘You will have a private security firm of ex-police officers, retired FBI agents and former Secret Service guys for the fairways, while armed law enforcement from the sheriff’s department give the final degree of protection.’

A spokesman for the Augusta club said: ‘We always take all precautions to ensure safety and security.’