Tiger Woods has left the door open to a possible return to the Masters this year, but revealed he has no timetable for his return from injury. 

Woods, who turned 50 in December, had surgery in October to replace a disc in his back and has not competed since the 2024 Open at Royal Troon. 

It was the latest in a series of operations and injuries that have kept the 15-time major champion sidelined for over 18 months. 

When asked directly if the Masters, set for early April, was "off the table," Woods offered a succinct "no", leaving the door open for a remarkable comeback at Augusta National.

Speaking at the Genesis Invitational in California, where he is the tournament host, Woods also expressed his determination to play again.

"It has been challenging," said Woods. "My body has been through a lot.

"Each and every day I keep trying, I keep progressing, trying to get it to a level that I can play at the highest level."

Woods added that he has progressed from chipping and putting practice and is now able to hit full shots, though he said the aftermath of the disc surgery was the issue. 

"It's just sore. It takes time," he said. "[Will Zalatoris] went through it, and it took him a while to come back.

"I'm a little bit older than [him]. It's probably going to take me a little bit longer."

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Woods has very fond memories of Augusta, having won the Masters on five occasions.

It was the first major that he won back in 1997 when he was only 21, and sparked an era of dominance for the American. It is also the most recent major that he got his hands on.

Woods became the second-oldest Masters champion ever in 2019 as he ended his 11-year wait for a major championship.

He candidly discussed the challenges of his recovery and the impact of age, given he is now eligible to play on the Champions Tour. 

"I have entered a new decade, so that number is starting to sink in and has us thinking about the opportunity to be able to play in a cart," Wood said.

"That's something that, as I said, I won't do out here on this tour because I don't believe in it. But on the Champions Tour, that's certainly an opportunity."