Woods' return still unknown

Bethesda, MD – Tiger Woods said in a press conference Monday his return to competitive action is still unknown.

Speaking at a press conference for the Quicken Loans National, which benefits his foundation, Woods maintained his position that he still has no idea when he will return to the PGA Tour.

"I miss playing. I miss being out there on the golf course and doing that ... I miss the game," said Woods. "As of right now I can chip and putt, but that's it. We are going to just take it slowly and I don't know how many more weeks I am going to be at this pace. At least I have something, so I'm able to actually get out there and chip and putt. As far as full swings and that time table about playing, I don't know."

Woods has been out of action since March because of a back injury that required surgery, causing him to miss the Masters for the first time in his career.

Woods has made just four starts worldwide during this current season and his best finish was a tie for 25th place at the WGC-Cadillac Championship, his final tournament before the surgery.

The reigning PGA Tour Player of the Year failed to make the secondary cut at the Farmers Insurance Open and tied for 41st at the Dubai Desert Classic, a European Tour event, before withdrawing from the Honda Classic because of his back.

"At the time right before the surgery, I really couldn't do much, getting out of bed was really a task and forget about playing golf at the highest level," Woods said. "After I had the procedure, it was immediate relief."

Woods added once he is cleared by his doctors, he will only need a couple weeks to return to action.

His absence, however, has caused him to lose his No. 1 world ranking to Adam Scott this week.

Woods currently sits in second, but will most likely slip further down the rankings before his eventual return as the next three players behind him, Henrik Stenson, Matt Kuchar and Masters winner Bubba Watson, are all less than one average point behind him.