Tiger Woods unable to put date on playing return

WHILE Tiger Woods expects to make a full recovery from his lingering neck injury after an MRI scan this week revealed an inflamed facet joint, he has given no indication as to when he will return to competitive golf.

The world No 1, forced to withdraw from the final round of last week's Players Championship in Florida, said the joint would be cured through soft-tissue massage, rest and anti-inflammatory medicine

"I need to take care of this condition and will return to playing when I'm physically able," he said, adding that the prognosis was for a full recovery but that a return to action was contingent on how quickly the condition healed.

The 14-times major winner, who has taken part in only three events – including the Masters where he finished in a tie for fourth place – since revelations of marital infidelity put him into hiding last year, added: "I want to practise, I want to play. I want to compete but the injury is not allowing me to do the things that I need to do in my golf swing to hit the proper shots."

Earlier this week, Woods said he had planned to compete at next month's Memorial Tournament in Ohio before heading to Pebble Beach for the US Open on 17-20 June.