TIGER OPENS UP ON REHAB AND RETURN

TIGER WOODS hopes to play at next year’s 150th Open at St Andrews after admitting he is lucky to be alive following his horrific car crash.

The 15-time Major winner was in pain throughout yesterday in his first press conference since February’s single-vehicle accident in Los Angeles.

Woods, 45, who completed an amazing return from back surgery to win his 15th Major at The Masters in 2019 (below), spoke about the “dark moments” during his recovery.

He required surgery on open fractures to his lower right leg and further injuries to his foot and ankle and said at one point he feared his right leg could be amputated.

“It was on the table,” said Woods who is hosting this week’s Hero World Challenge in The Bahamas. “I’m lucky to be alive but also still have the limb. Those are two crucial things.

“I’m very grateful someone upstairs was taking care of me, that I’m able to not only be here but also to walk without a prosthesis.”

Woods, who was found to be travelling at almost twice the speed limit when he crashed, spent three months confined to a hospital bed before being transferred to a wheelchair then crutches (top).

He added: “There were some really tough times, just laying there. It’s hard to explain how difficult it’s been, to be immobile for three months. I was just looking forward to getting outside.

“Eventually I got to a point where they could wheelchair me out and I could feel the sun, that was like a milestone.

“I built a really nice house but I didn’t realise how big it was until you start putting crutches on. I am on the better side of it, but still have a long way to go.”

Woods, who ducked questions about the crash, intends to resume playing but is not setting a target date.

“As far as playing at Tour level, I don’t know when that’s going to happen,” he said. “I’ll play a round here and there, a little hit and giggle, I can do something like that.”

Asked if teeing it up at The Open was a possibility, Woods added: “I would love to play at St Andrews, it’s my favourite golf course in the world. Physically, hopefully I can.”