Tiger Woods is back, but by his own admission it will take a long time for him to be fit enough for competitive golf at the top level.

As the host of the Hero World Challenge tournament, being played at Albany in the Bahamas, Woods spoke at a news conference for the first time since his life-threatening car accident in February.

Woods, no stranger to surgeries and comebacks, required surgery on open fractures to his lower right leg following the single-vehicle accident in February.

“Amputation was definitely on the table,” he said on Tuesday.

“This one has been much more difficult… The knee stuff was one level, the back fusion another level, this one with the right leg another level,” he said, referring to his earlier surgeries from which he had recovered and even gone on to win tournaments, like his 15th major title at the Augusta Masters in 2019.

“From wheelchair to crutches to now nothing, it’s been a lot of hard work. There were some really tough times. I am on the better side of it, but I still have a long way to go,” he added.

Woods was hospitalised for three weeks before returning to his home in Florida, where he continues to undergo extensive rehabilitation.

Asked how difficult his recovery has been, he said: “Just laying there. I was in a hospital bed for three months. It’s hard to explain how difficult it’s been, to be immobile for three months. I was just looking forward to getting outside. That was a goal of mine.”

Woods said he was uncertain whether he would be able to play on the Tour again. “As far as playing at the Tour level, I don’t know when that’s going to happen,” he said.

Hero World Challenge: Live on Eurosport and Eurosport HD from 12.30am IST, Friday.