Looks like world number one golfer Tiger Woods will be out of action for a long period of time, as he is gradually healing from the back surgery and is unsure about when he will return to the golf course.
The 38-year-old Woods, who last competed in the WGC-Cadillac Championship and has been out of action since March, posted an update regarding his condition on his website. Woods said that it is tough for him bend down to collect the ball from the hole.
"My recovery is coming along, but it's a very slow process," Woods said. "I'm still sore. Not from the procedure itself but the incision. I just need to get back to my day-to-day activities, and that's it.
"As for my return to golf, I really don't know," he said. "I'm doing everything I can and listening to my doctors and working on a strength program, and then we just have to see how my back is. Some people heal up in three months, some people take four months, some people take longer. I just don't know."
A three-month absence from the competition means, Woods will have to miss the US Open starting June 12 and the Open at Royal Liverpool beginning July 17. For the first time in his career, Woods missed the Masters tournament in April, but reckons that it wasn't as hard as people think.
"Not being able to play for the first time wasn't as hard for me as you might think," said Woods. "I've missed major championships before, so this was not a new experience. It helps when I'm physically unable to play the game."
The world number one is expected to make a return at the British Open at Hoylake, the tournament he has won before, but it is uncertain what measures Woods would be required to take for protecting his back.
"Once I begin swinging a club again, I'm not sure if I will have to make any changes to protect my back," Woods said.
"As far as limitations, it's a building process, just like when I came back from my knee and Achilles injuries. We have to make sure my back heals fine and I have the strength and mobility going forward."
