Thursday 3 December 2015 23:31, UK
Tiger Woods has admitted he has prepared himself for the possibility of having to retire as he struggles to recover from his third back operation in 19 months.
Although he is far from giving up hope of being able to resume his glittering career, Woods is adamant that he never wants to have any further operations in a bid to extend his playing days, and he is resigned to calling it a day if he is not fit enough to return to the world stage.
Woods underwent back surgery in September which required a "surprise" follow-up procedure six weeks later, and he revealed on Tuesday that he is currently physically able to do no more than walking and had yet to begin a full rehabilitation programme.
I don't want to have another procedure, and even if I don't come back and I don't play again, I still want to have a quality of life with my kids
At a press conference ahead of the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas, where he is the tournament host, Woods conceded he had no idea when he would be fit enough to return to competitive golf, if at all.
The 14-time major champion has now expanded on his comments in a hard-hitting interview with Time magazine to commemorate his 40th birthday later this month and, although he remains determined to play again, he insisted spending time with his two children was more important than golf.
"I don't want to have another procedure, and even if I don't come back and I don't play again, I still want to have a quality of life with my kids. I started to lose that with the other surgeries," said Woods.
"Anyone I've ever talked to who has had procedures like I've had, they say the same thing: you don't know. With a joint, you know. With a nerve, you just don't know. I've talked to Peyton Manning about his neck and what he's going through. It's tough as athletes, when you just don't know.
"The most important thing, though, is that I get to have a life with my kids. That's more important than golf. I've come to realise that now."
When asked about the possibility of having to retire, he added: "Put it this way. It's not what I want to have happen, and it's not what I'm planning on having happen. But if it does, it does. I've reconciled myself to it.
"I don't want it to happen. Without a doubt I do not. With all my heart, I do not want to stop playing golf. But the flip side is, my kids' lives are much more important to me. Now, if I can do both, that is an ideal world. It's a win-win. If I can only do one, it wouldn't be golf. It would be my kids. That's still a win-win.
"To watch my kids and play sports and to grow up and participate, and even teach them how to become better, oh my God, it gives me so much joy. I can't imagine not being able to do that as I get older. That to me is special. Now I know what my dad felt like when we'd go out there and play nine holes in the dark."
Woods has slumped to 400th in the world rankings following his worst year since turning professional in 1996, but he remains confident that he can still compete with the new generation of world-class players if he can get his fitness back to the required level.
"I have to get healthy in order to do it, though," he said. "I don't think I'll ever be 100 per cent healthy, but as close as you can to that point, that would be nice. As long as I don't have the pain, then I don't think there would be an issue.
"I will probably play through a little bit of pain; as you get older, you have more aches and pains. But I don't need another surgery, period. Let's just not go down that road ever again. No more surgeries. Seven's enough. Four knees, three backs, that's enough."
