Woods ponders retirement decision

Tiger Woods has admitted that he may have to retire in the future if his back injuries continue to cause him grief.

The former world number one had his third back operation in 19 months in September and is still in the dark over when he can return.

Woods has refused to give up hope but has conceded retirement is an option, with the quality of his off-course life becoming more of a priority.

The American is only allowed to walk and has yet to start a full rehabilitation programme.

Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, the 39-year-old admitted he may never be able to return to the sport he once dominated.

“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,” he told reporters.

“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.”

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