Tiger 'a long way' from return to top-flight golf

Golf superstar Tiger Woods remains confident he'll return to top flight competition, but the timetable remains a mystery one year after a car crash left him with devastating leg injuries.

"I can come back, yes," Woods said on Wednesday on the eve of the Genesis Invitational at Riviera Country Club, where the 15-time major champion is the tournament host.

The 46-year-old reiterated that he doesn't envision playing a full PGA Tour schedule, and admitted that so far he has no idea when he will be ready to return.

"I wish I could tell you when I'm playing again," Woods said. "I want to know, but I don't.

"My golf activity has been very limited. I can chip and putt really well and hit short irons very well, but I haven't done any long stuff seriously," he added.

Woods's comments will damp down expectations he could make a miraculous return for the Masters at Augusta National in April.

Woods excited fans with an appearance alongside son Charlie at the PNC Championship in Florida in December.

But he said the family-focused event was a far cry from proper tournament golf, including allowing the use of golf carts.

To walk a tournament course over practice rounds, pro-am rounds and tournament rounds, would still be beyond him, Woods said.

"I'm still working on the walking part," he said, "working on strength and development in that. It takes time.

"What's frustrating is it's not my timetable," Woods said. "I want to be at a certain place, but I'm not. I've just got to continue working. I'm getting better, yes, but as I said, not at the speed and rate that I would like.

"You add in the age factor, too. You just don't quite heal as fast, which is frustrating."

Every day a fight

Woods said his work on the driving range had been limited because