Woods makes tentative return

Tiger Woods admits he is still some way off returning to action after playing his first holes for eight months on Monday.

The 40-year-old was forced to go under the knife twice last year due to a long-standing back problem and shut his season down after the Wyndham Championship in August.

Things did not look good over the festive period as the 14-time major winner released a statement revealing that he could barely walk and was having trouble even playing with his kids.

Having initially questioned his future in the sport, the Florida resident then made it clear he was determined to get back to full fitness although he has refused to put a time frame on when he might rejoin the PGA Tour.

Woods, who has already missed the Masters, played five holes on Monday with close friend and two-time major winner Mark O’Meara at the official opening of the course he designed at Bluejack National Golf Club.

He also registered for the US Open on Monday but confessed that, after such a long lay-off, a handful of holes had left him fatigued.

“I’m definitely a little tired but I feel pretty good,” he told ESPN.”I haven’t been out here playing like this. I hadn’t played any holes until today.

“I know people have said I’ve played holes back at Medalist, but I haven’t. This is actually the first time I’ve played holes since Wyndham. It’s been a while.

The four-time Masters champion knows there is still much work to do before he can consider taking on the best in the world over 72 holes.

“I’ve got to get stronger and I’ve got to get faster. I’m not hitting it very far right now,” Woods added.

“I still have a lot more to go in the tank as far as speed, which is great. I’m able to hit the ball as far as I am right now just cruising.”

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