Woods says he might not play again this year

TIGER Woods might not return to competitive golf this year following back surgery nine months ago, he said on Sunday, but he is counting on the wait being worthwhile by producing impressive form.

The 14-time major champion updated his recovery status after Sunday’s final round of the US PGA National at Congressional Country Club, which benefits his charity foundation.

“I’m trying to get back as fast as I can,” Woods said. “It’s frustrating not being able to play, especially at my own event. I miss being out here.”

Asked whether there was a chance he might not play again this year, Woods said: “I don’t know. I want to play. I don’t know if I will. But I am trying to . . . I’m working my tail off.”

The British Open is only three weeks away and the year’s final major, the PGA Championship, is less than five weeks away.

Woods never mentions a specific event when asked about a comeback timetable and he has admitted downplaying his status in comments about past injuries.

But he talks time and again about having learned from past attempts to return too quickly from injury and setbacks he has suffered as a result.

“I would like to say next week. But I can’t,” Woods said. “It’s a tough road.

“I know I’m getting better. I’m progressing, but still I’m just not quite ready to be out here.

“I can play with these guys. I know I still can. I just need to get healthy enough where I can do it on a regular basis.”

That, Woods said, required getting into golf shape.

That means even though he is playing 18 holes now on consecutive days, he must be able to handle the stresses of tournament play over 72 holes. “I still need to be golf fit, hit ball after ball, to have my golf muscles back,” Woods said.

Four-time major winner Ernie Els, who played in Sunday’s final group, made it clear that he wanted to see Woods return.

“When Ernie walked off, he made a beeline over to me and gave me a big hug and said: ‘Get back out here’,” Woods said.

“That’s awfully special – we’ve been going at it for such a long time.”

Woods, 40, pointed Els out to his children, saying they had been rivals for nearly two decades.