Rep. Mark Sanford on Tiger Woods -- It Might Be Our Year!

Rep. Mark Sanford and Tiger Woods are in the midst of legendary comebacks ... considering cheating scandals ruined both of their lives ... but Sanford tells TMZ he hopes 2013 is the year they can BOTH stay on top (of their careers ... not other women).

Sanford -- who was just sworn back into office after leaving his position in shame in 2011 following an extra-marital affair in 2009 -- was strollin' around in D.C. yesterday when we talked about how he and Tiger are both turning things around.

FYI -- Tiger just won a pretty big tournament earlier this month and golf experts think he's got a chance to take over the sport again.

As for Sanford, we asked if he felt Anthony Weiner is also due for a comeback -- to which Sanford replied, "I'm worried about trying to get it right in my own life."