I feel good, but not great: Tiger Woods

Dubai: Tiger Woods has admitted the combined toll of multiple operations on his battered body means he doesn’t think he “will ever feel great” again. But the former world number one said he hoped to be able to compete for titles and majors in the future, in an interview for Dubai magazine Vision. “I feel good, but not great,” said Woods, 41. “Granted, I don’t think I’ll ever feel great because it’s three back surgeries, four knee operations.”

The 14-time major-winner returned from a 16-month injury lay-off in December and has slumped to 674 in the world rankings. “I am always going to be a little bit sore, it’s just the way it is. But as long as I can function and function at a good enough level then I’m fine with that,” he said. Woods made an ill-fated attempt to play in the European Tour’s Dubai Desert Classic last week, pulling out with back spasms after a birdie-free first-round 77 left him 13 shots off the lead.

He had missed the cut a week earlier at his first US PGA tour event of the year at Torrey Pines and entered for next week’s tournament at Riviera as he tries to recover form and fitness before a tilt at the season’s first major, the Masters in Augusta in early April. “The whole plan was to get my body, mind and spirit ready for that first full week in April,” said the 14-time major winner.

“You know, I’ve done it (won at Augusta) four times and I’d love to do it a fifth.” Woods said he would carry on as long as he felt capable of winning, after a painful rehabilitation.