Tiger Woods has reiterated that there is no timetable for his return to competitive golf, despite giving a positive update about his recovery from back surgery.

Writing on his official website, Woods said: “As I announced last week, I am starting to feel a lot better. I have been chipping and putting at home, and recently started hitting nine irons. That’s been so nice. After all, Florida is the Sunshine State.

“My son Charlie and I compete in just about everything and have three-hole chipping contests. The loser has to do push-ups. My short game feels pretty sharp.

“The big thing right now is trying to get stronger and more flexible. Sitting out as long as I did, some weakening occurred, and I have a lot of work ahead of me.

“While there is no timetable on my return to competitive golf, I want to play this game at the highest level again. In order to do that, I have to get healthy.

“I’ve received many nice calls and texts from my fellow PGA Tour players and want to thank them for their support and encouragement. It’s a fraternity out there, and we’re all in this together.”

In December, Woods – who won the last of his 79 PGA Tour titles in 2013 – also used his website to reflect on his struggles in 2015.

“It was a tough year physically and took a toll on my body,“ the 14-time Major winner wrote. ”’I had to battle through a swing pattern change and get that organised, because it was awful at the beginning of the year. I didn’t play for the longest time because I was stuck.

”The frustrating part was not being able to build on it throughout the year. To finally have it switch and turn in the last event I played at the Wyndham Championship, and then lo and behold, I can’t physically do it any more.”