Tiger Woods has given an interview this evening in which he has admitted that he still does not know when he will be able to return to golf.

The former World No 1 appears to have a gloomy outlook on his prospects of returning to the level that once saw him dominate the game as he struggles to overcome surgery on his back.

Wood, who turns 40 later this month, has been comparing himself to retiring NBA star Kobe Bryant and says that he is happy with his achievements, adding that any further success would be "gravy" for him at this stage.

"I have no answer for that and neither does my surgeon. There is no timetable so that’s the hardest part for me. There's really nothing I can look forward to, nothing I can build towards," he said.

However, he will serve as a Ryder Cup vice-captain for the United States next year.