Tiger Woods: ‘I never thought I would play again’

Tiger Woods has admitted he had dark thoughts about his career and conceded he will “never feel great” again.

Woods, who pulled out of the Dubai Desert Classic due to a back spasm, revealed in an interview with Vision magazine that there had been times where he considered quitting golf.

“It was tough,” the 41-year-old said. “It was more than brutal. There were times when I physically didn’t know if I could get out of bed. And there were times when I needed help just to get out of bed.

“It was one of the hardest things to wrap my head around. There were plenty of times when I thought I would never play the game at the elite level.

“You’ve got to get in the gym, put in the leg work, hit balls. You’ve got to refine your game, not make dumb mistakes out there on the golf course and in order to do that you’ve got to play a lot and I couldn’t play.

“Playing once every three of four weeks is not going to cut it. There were a lot of times when I didn’t think I was going to make it back.”

Woods, who looked physically uncomfortable throughout the interview, said in all likelihood he’ll never feel as good as he once did but he does still believe he can compete at the highest level.

“I don’t think I’ll ever feel great because it’s three back surgeries,” he said.

“I am always going to be a little bit sore. It’s just the way it is. But as long as I can function at a good enough level then I’m fine with that.”

With the Masters on the horizon Woods said adding a fifth green jacket to his wardrobe but conceded it would be a difficult task.

“This is the changing of the guard,” he added.

“My generation is getting older but if I’m teeing up the goal’s to win it and that doesn’t change whether I’m injured.

“If I’m in the event it’s to win the event.”

Watch the full interview below: