Tiger Woods said that he’s “got a long way to go” before he can make a return to professional golf, but insists the “fire still burns to compete.”

During a press conference to promote the 2024 Hero World Challenge where he acts as host, Woods, 48, admitted that ongoing pain related to his years of back issues and surgeries didn’t allow him to play at the high level fans have become accustomed to throughout his highly decorated career.

Tiger Woods is not playing in the 2024 Hero World Challenge due to a variety of nagging injuries. On Tuesday, while holding court as host for his annual tournament in the Bahamas, the 15-time major champion expressed uncertainty about his return to the golf course following a sixth back surgery this September.