Friday 11 March 2016 21:16, UK
Tiger Woods has revealed he is continuing to work hard on his recovery from back surgery but remains unable to set a timetable for his return to competitive golf.
Woods also congratulated Jack Nicklaus for hosting a dinner for a selection of Ryder Cup hopefuls during the recent Honda Classic in Florida, and he believes the evening was of huge benefit particularly to the younger players on the cusp of Davis Love's team.
The 14-time major champion gave another positive update on his progress as he continues to work on his short game, while he is also able to make full swings on his home simulator.
Woods had previously responded to rumours that he had suffered a major setback in his recovery by publishing a video of himself hitting a smooth nine-iron accompanied by the words "progressing nicely".
But it remains to be seen how much longer he will be out of action, and he has made it clear that he will not be tempted to rush into a return to the PGA Tour having undergone a third back operation in September, which required a follow-up procedure a few weeks later.
In his latest blog on his official website, Woods said: "Health-wise, I continue to improve. I'm working hard on my short game at my outdoor practice facility and on my indoor Full Swing golf simulator. Still no timetable on my return, but I'm excited to get back out there with the guys."
Woods also gave insight into the Ryder Cup dinner hosted by Nicklaus and his wife Barbara, and he feels the event will have helped the current crop of world-class American youngsters to experience team bonding ahead of this year's contest against Europe at Hazeltine in September.
He said: "Jack and Barbara Nicklaus graciously hosted a dinner at their home for 22 2016 US Ryder Cup team hopefuls, captain Davis Love III and vice captains Tom Lehman, Jim Furyk and myself. Most of the guys I already knew, and it was fun to catch up and rib each other.
"Jack, Davis and Tom talked about their experiences and what to expect. Jim asked questions, and it was good to hear from the younger guys who are on the cusp of making the team for the first time.
"It was nice to get things out in the open, so they understand what the atmosphere will be like. I think the dinner was a great idea and brought a lot of guys closer."
Woods also hinted that the current top four in the world; Jordan Spieth, Jason Day, Rory McIlroy and Rickie Fowler could be set to dominate the game for the foreseeable future.
He added: "Sitting around with the younger guys made me think about my early years on the PGA Tour. I left Stanford after my sophomore year and was the only one my age (20) out there. That was tough. Eventually, guys I played with in college trickled out.
"Now, there's a core of younger guys, like Rory, Jason, Rickie and Jordan. It's a talented group that will compete against each other for a long time."
Woods appeared in public last week for the opening of his new "10-hole short course" at the Bluejack National resort in Texas, where he was upstaged as 11-year-old Taylor Crozier made a hole in one with the inaugural tee shot.
"On the 81-yard, par-3 first hole, 11-year-old Taylor of Corpus Christi, Texas, aced it. How cool was that? The fans went wild, and I bear-hugged him. It was a moment we won't forget," Woods wrote.
