Tiger Woods says he will never feel great after having three operations on his troublesome backCredit: Getty Images

He hobbled away from his latest comeback after just one round of last weeks’ Dubai Desert Classic, where he was paid a £1.6million appearance fee.

He is due to play in the Genesis Open in Los Angeles next week, and the golfing world waits to see if he has recovered from his latest back spasms.

But his own health bulletin does not offer much cause for optimism.

Woods said: “I feel good, not great. I don’t think I will ever feel great because it’s three back surgeries, four knee operations.

“I’m always going to be a little bit sore. But as long as I can function, I’m fine with that.”

Tiger Woods had to pull after just round one of the Dubai Desert ClassicCredit: AP:Associated Press

Woods admitted there were times when he thought his career was over when he was recovering from his latest back operation 18 months ago.

The 14 times Major champion explained: “There were a lot of times I didn’t think I was going to make it back. It was tough. It was more than brutal

“There were plenty of times when I thought I would never play the game again at the elite level. There were times I needed help just to get out of bed.”

Tiger Woods has been plagued by injuries over the last four yearsCredit: Getty Images

Tiger Woods will hope to get his season back on track at the Genesis Open in Los Angeles next weekCredit: Getty Images

The last of Woods’ 79 PGA Tour wins came four years ago, while his drought in the Majors dates back to the 2008 US Open.

But he insists he can still be competitive, adding: “Yes, there is a changing of the guard, and my generation is getting older. But if I’m teeing up then the goal is to win.

“What I need more than anything is competitive golf – and plenty of it. Teeing up every three or four weeks isn’t going to do it, so I want to play as often as my body permits.”