Tiger Woods said Sunday he might not return to competitive golf this year following back surgery nine months ago, but he's 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 if 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 not fun. 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, requires getting into golf shape. That means even though he is playing 18 holes now on consecutive days, he must be able to handle all 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.
"I am playing, just I need more time, I still need to get to get stronger, need to recover faster. Unfortunately it will take time.
"I'm older. It takes longer to recover. I want to do it right so I don't have another surgery."
South Africa's Ernie Els, a four-time major winner who played in Sunday's final group, made it clear he wants 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 because we've been going at it for such a long time."
Woods, 40, was able to show his children Els and try to explain how they have been rivals for nearly two decades.
"I was trying to explain to Sam and Charlie -- 'See that big guy over there on the 18th green? I've been battling him for the last 19 years,'" Woods said. "That was really cool."
Woods has won 79 US PGA events, three shy of Sam Snead's all-time record, and his major total is four shy of the all-time record 18 won by Jack Nicklaus.
But Woods, nagged by back and leg injuries, has not won a major since the 2008 US Open and has not won any title since the 2013 World Golf Championships Bridgestone Invitational.
AFP
Mon Jun 27 2016
Billy Hurley III and Tiger Woods look on behind the trophy after the Quicken Loans National at Congressional Country Club on June 26, 2016 in Bethesda, Maryland. Patrick Smith/Getty Images/AFP
Kontroversi UM: Sarjana ‘berkualiti rendah’ tak patut dijemput - PM Anwar
Anwar menyindir ahli akademik AS yang terbabit dalam kontroversi pro-Israel sebagai sarjana berkualiti rendah dan tidak mempunyai pencapaian luar biasa atau istimewa.
Agong, Raja Permaisuri zahir ucapan Ulang Tahun Keputeraan kepada Sultan Terengganu
Ucapan itu dizahirkan Seri Paduka Baginda berdua menerusi poster yang dimuat naik di Facebook Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar hari ini.
Ada wajah kita tak mahu berpisah, tapi terpaksa melepaskannya - Datuk Red
Menerusi perkongsian itu, Adnan mengatakan ada perkara yang dia terpaksa reda dan menerima takdir yang sudah tertulis untuknya.
Komen jelik nahas helikopter Lumut, peniaga didenda RM23,000
Seorang peniaga dalam talian didenda RM23,000 di Mahkamah Sesyen di sini, selepas mengaku bersalah atas tuduhan memuat naik komen jelik berhubung nahas helikopter TLDM.
Bursa Malaysia dibuka rendah, jejaki prestasi Wall Street
Pada 9.10 pagi, FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI (FBM KLCI) susut 2.29 mata kepada 1,566.96 daripada 1,569.25 ketika ditutup pada Khamis.
AWANI Ringkas: Pesawat ringan mendarat cemas di Subang
Ikuti rangkuman berita utama yang menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari di Astro AWANI menerusi AWANI Ringkas.
Cambodia Airways mulakan penerbangan terus Phnom Penh-Kuala Lumpur
Syarikat penerbangan Kemboja, Cambodia Airways, secara rasmi memulakan penerbangan terus dari ibu negaranya, Phnom Penh ke KLIA pada Khamis.
Semangat baharu bina ekosistem inovasi lebih dinamik
Perbadanan Pembangunan Teknologi Malaysia, MTDC meneruskan kesinambungan dalam memacu pembangunan teknologi negara, dengan melancarkan Citra MTDC, untuk mewujudkan ekosistem inovasi yang lebih dinamik.
Polis tahan guru disyaki liwat tiga pelajar
Tiga pelajar tahfiz dipercayai menjadi mangsa seks luar tabii apabila didakwa diliwat seorang guru agama dari pusat tahfiz berkenaan sejak dua tahun lalu.
Rumah Terbuka Aidilfitri Selangor di KKB langgar Akta - Bersih
Penganjuran Rumah Terbuka Aidilfitri Peringkat Negeri Selangor yang akan dianjurkan di Pekan Kuala Kubu Bharu Sabtu ini, boleh bercanggah dengan banyak peruntukan dalam Akta Kesalahan Pilihan Raya 1954 (AKPR).