Tiger Woods unsure of return plan, hopes to play Masters

Feb. 22 (UPI) -- Tiger Woods hasn't participated in a golf tournament in more than three months due to his injured back. He says he doesn't know when he will return, but hopes to play in the 2021 Masters.

Woods, 45, made the comments during an interview with CBS on Sunday during the final round of the Genesis Invitational. The 15-time major champion hasn't played in a PGA Tour event since the 2020 Masters in November.

He had his fifth back surgery in December. The microdiscectomy procedure was performed to remove a pressurized disc fragment that was pinching a nerve in his lower back. He was expected to miss at least two months.

"I'm feeling fine," Woods told CBS. "I'm a little bit stiff. I have one more MRI scheduled so that we'll see if the annulus fibrosus [portion of back] is scarred over finally and see if I can start doing more activities.

"But [I'm] still in the gym, still doing the mundane stuff that you have to do for rehab, the little things before I can start gravitating toward something a little more."

CBS commentator Jim Nantz asked Woods if he could play in the 2021 Masters or plans to participate in a golf event to prepare for the major tournament.

"God I hope so, I have to get there first," Woods said. "A lot of it is based on my surgeons, doctors, and therapist to make sure I do it correctly. This is the only back I've got. I don't have much more wiggle room left there.

"I don't know what the plan is. The plan right now is to just go ahead and get there and see if the annulus is sealed and we can start progressing."

Woods -- who finished tied for 38th at the 2020 Masters -- said he has practiced putting and using his sand wedge. He sits at No. 50 in the Official World Golf Ranking.

The 2021 Masters is scheduled for April 8 to 11 at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga. Woods is a five-time Masters champion.

Moments from Tiger Wood's career

Tiger Woods swings during the second round of the U.S. Open in Bethesda, Md., on June 13, 1997. The following April, Woods became the youngest Masters Tournament winner. Photo by Jay Clark/UPI | License Photo

Woods stretches during the third round of the Phoenix Open in Scottsdale, Ariz., on January 31, 1999. A couple years later, the Phoenix Open would have some excitement when an orange was thrown on the green in front of Woods. Photo by Irwin R. Daugherty/UPI | License Photo

Woods hoists the Wanamaker trophy after winning the PGA Championship in Medinah, Ill., on August 15, 1999. Woods won with 11 under par. Photo by Ray Foli/UPI | License Photo

Woods smiles after winning the AT&T National Pro-Am with a great come-from-behind victory to win his sixth straight PGA tournament in Pebble Beach, Calif., on February 7, 2000. That year, Woods hosted the Tiger Jam III benefit concert. Photo by Terry Schmitt/UPI | License Photo

Woods makes his second shot on the 18th fairway enroute to winning the AT&T National Pro-Am with a great come-from-behind victory to win his sixth straight PGA tournament in Pebble Beach, Calif., on February 7, 2000. Photo by Terry Schmitt/UPI | License Photo

Woods was named the youngest-ever Golfer of the Decade at the ESPY Awards in Las Vegas on February 14, 2000. Later that year, he was named the top PGA player. Photo by Roger Williams/UPI | License Photo

Woods putts on the seventh green during the third round of the inaugural AT&T National in Potomac, Md., on July 7, 2007. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo

Woods lines up a putt on the seventh hole during the first round of the U.S. Open in Mamaroneck, N.Y., on June 15, 2006. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo

Woods throws his putter in the air after bogeying the 14th hole during the third round of the 135th British Open Championship in Hoylake, United Kingdom, on July 22, 2006. Woods won the tournament the following day. Photo by STR/UPI | License Photo

Woods hoists the Wannamaker Trophy after winning the PGA Championship in Medinah, Ill., on August 20, 2006. Photo by Brian Kersey/UPI | License Photo

Woods participates in a practice round for the Ryder Cup in Straffan, Ireland, on September 21, 2006. Photo by Hugo Philpott/UPI | License Photo

Woods (R) lines up a putt on the third green while teammate Jim Furyk looks on during the first round of the Ryder Cup in Straffan, Ireland, on September 21, 2006. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo

Former President George H. W. Bush and Woods arrive at the first tee to start the inaugural AT&T National Golf Tournament in Bethesda, Md., on July 4, 2007. The proceeds of the golf tournament will benefit the Tiger Woods Foundation and local charities. Photo by Mark Goldman/UPI | License Photo

Woods chips out of the bunker onto the second green during the final round of the BMW Championship in Lemont, Ill., on September 9, 2007. Photo by Brian Kersey/UPI | License Photo

Woods lines up a putt on the ninth hole during the fourth round of the Presidents Cup in Montreal on September 29, 2007. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo

U.S. President Barack Obama greets Woods in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., on April 20, 2009. Woods appeared in an Inaugural Celebration for Obama earlier that year. White House Photo by Pete Souza | License Photo

Woods poses after winning the AT&T National at Congressional Country Club in Potomac, Md., on July 5, 2009. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo

Woods drives the ball on the 10th tee on the first day of the 138th British Open Championship in Turnberry, Scotland, on July 16, 2009. Woods was eliminated from the tournament the following day. Photo by Hugo Philpott/UPI | License Photo

Woods arrives to offer an apology for "irresponsible and selfish behavior" during his first public statement to a small gathering of reporters and friends at the headquarters of the U.S. PGA Tour in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., on February 19, 2010. Pool Photo by Eric Gay/UPI | License Photo

Woods waits to hit off of the 11th tee during the first round of the Quail Hollow Tournament in Charlotte, N.C., on April 29, 2010. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo

Woods swings during the first round of The Players Championship PGA golf tournament in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., on May 6, 2010. Woods withdrew from the tournament after a neck injury. Photo by Mark Wallheiser/UPI | License Photo

Woods watches his hit on the ninth fairway during the first round of the U.S. Open in Pebble Beach, Calif., on June 17, 2010. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo

Woods watches his drive off of the 17th tee during the second round of the U.S. Open in Pebble Beach, Calif., on June 18, 2010. Woods ended in a fourth-place tie with Phil Mickelson. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo

Woods does a push up over his ball on the 14th fairway on the first day of the British Open championship in St. Andrews, Scotland, on July 15, 2010. Woods finished the round at 5-under 67. Photo by Hugo Philpott/UPI | License Photo

Woods watches his chip shot land on the green on the third hole during the second round of the PGA Championship in Kohler, Wisc., on August 13, 2010. Photo by Brian Kersey/UPI | License Photo

Woods takes his second shot on the 11th hole during the second round of the PGA Championship at Whistling Straits in Kohler, Wisc., on August 14, 2010. Photo by Brian Kersey/UPI | License Photo

Woods lines up a putt in the U.S. Open in San Francisco on June 14, 2012. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo

Woods tees off on the fourth hole in the fourth round of the U.S. Open in San Francisco on June 17, 2012. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo

U.S. Ryder Cup teammates Davis Love III, Woods and Keegan Bradley smile at the Ryder Cup in Medinah, Ill., on September 25, 2012. Photo by Brian Kersey/UPI | License Photo

Woods hits off of the 15th tee during the second round of the Masters at Augusta National in Augusta, Ga., on April 12, 2013. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo

Woods and girlfriend Lindsey Vonn arrive on the red carpet at the Costume Institute Benefit for the "PUNK: Chaos to Couture" exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City on May 6, 2013. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo

Woods hits a tee shot on the fourth hole in the third round at the U.S. Open in Ardmore, Pa., on June 15, 2013. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo

Woods hits out of the bunker on the fourth hole on the third day of the British Open Championship in Muirfield, Scotland, on July 20, 2013. Photo by Hugo Philpott/UPI | License Photo

Woods signs autographs as he walks off the practice range before to the start of the Quicken Loans National, at Congressional Golf Course in Potomac, Md., on June 24, 2014. The tournament benefits his foundation. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo

Woods tees off on the seventh hole during the first round of the Quicken Loans National at Congressional Golf Course in Potomac, Md., on June 26, 2014. Photo by Molly Riley/UPI | License Photo

Woods walks to the sixth green during a practice round before the Masters Tournament at Augusta National in Augusta, Ga., on April 7, 2015. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo

Lindsey Vonn walks Woods and his children Sam (L) and Charlie on the ninth green during the Par 3 contest at the Masters Tournament at Augusta National in Augusta, Ga., on April 8, 2015. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo

Fred Couples (L) and Woods prepare to hit on the fourth tee during a practice round prior to the Masters golf tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club, in Augusta, Ga., on April 4, 2018. Woods finished tied for 32nd. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo

Woods reacts before hitting his approach shot to the 11th green in the second round of the Masters Tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga., on April 6, 2018. Woods finished tied for 32nd. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo

Woods catches a ball from his caddy on the 14th hole during final round play of the Quicken Loans National golf tournament in Potomac, Md., on July 1, 2018. Photo by Pete Marovich/UPI | License Photo

Woods lines up a putt during the final round in the British Open Championships in Carnoustie, Scotland, on July 22, 2018. Photo by Hugo Philpott/UPI | License Photo

Woods places his ball on the tee at the sixth hole during the fourth round of the PGA Championship in Town and Country, Mo., on August 12, 2018. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo

Woods hits a shot in front of the gallery on the driving range before his pay-per-view winner-take-all $9 million golf match against longtime rival Phil Mickelson in Las Vegas on November 23, 2018. Photo by James Atoa/UPI | License Photo

Woods hits from a bunker to the second hole in the first round at the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga., on April 11, 2019. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo

Woods touches the hand of a patron as he walks to the 8th tee box in the second round at the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga., on April 12, 2019. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo

Woods hits off of the second tee during the third round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga., on April 13, 2019. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo

Woods celebrates his career comeback win with a score of 13 under par on the 18th green in the final round at the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga., on April 14, 2019. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo

Woods is awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Donald Trump in the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington, D.C., on May 6, 2019. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo

Woods hits off of the 14th tee during a practice round before the U.S. Open in Pebble Beach, Calif., on June 12, 2019. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo