There were more questions than answers when news broke of Tiger Woods’ car accident in February. Would he ever play again? Heck, would he ever walk again? After nine months of intensive rehabilitation away from the spotlight, the 15-time major champion addressed the media Tuesday as he hosts the Hero World Challenge in Albany, Bahamas. Tiger was forthright and open about his future plans, his ability to compete again at the highest levels, his recovery, and what golf means to him now after having one of the most successful careers the sport has ever witnessed.

His Recovery

Tiger Woods is completely familiar with long and arduous recoveries. The recipient of five back and knee surgeries, among other procedures, Tiger is facing his most challenging recovery to date after undergoing numerous surgeries after his accident, most notably on his right leg. In an interview with Henni Zuël from Golf Digest that aired Monday night, Tiger gave a timeline of his return to walking, which included three months in a hospital bed at home, followed by a wheelchair and then crutches, which he said got his triceps “jacked” from walking around his property. Woods also elaborated on the severity of the injury to his leg, which was shattered in multiple locations, and how it was inconclusive early on whether or not it would be amputated. “There was a point in time when, I wouldn’t say it was 50/50, but it was damn near there if I was going to walk out of that hospital with one leg,” said Woods.

In his Tuesday press conference Woods further detailed his recovery, discussing how he was eager to return to the practice facility in his backyard to stroke a few puts, hit a couple chips, and get his touch around the greens back. One anecdote of note he told was having his greenskeeper fill the holes on his putting green with sand so he could pick the ball up without bending over. Needless to say, Tiger’s drive to be around golf, whether competitively or recreationally, was a key motivator in his recovery.

His Future

What the future holds for Tiger Woods as it pertains to his golf career is unclear. In his interview with Golf Digest, Tiger hinted at his potential plans. “I think something that is realistic is playing the Tour one day, never full time, ever again, but pick and choose, just like Mr. Hogan did,” said Tiger, referencing Ben Hogan’s selective schedule following his car accident in 1949. But Tiger was also quick to admit the road to full recovery still needs some travelling if he is to ever contend again on Tour. “We’ll see what happens when I get to that point, but I’ve got a long way to go with this leg,” said Woods. “I got to be good enough to do it. I need to prove to myself in practice. I got a long way to go in the rehab process to do something like that.”

As for a potential return date to golf, should he continue to rehabilitate himself with the aim of playing professionally again, a colossal task he said he was still unsure he wanted to undertake citing the uncertainty of his right leg’s recovery, Tiger was understandably noncommittal. When asked if the 150th Open Championship at St. Andrew’s next year was a potential tournament to make his return, Tiger said he “would love to play St Andrew’s,” but remained cautious about his recovery and his aging body. “I don’t foresee this leg ever being what it used to be, hence I’ll never have it back the way it used to be, and the clock’s ticking.”

Whatever the rest of Tiger Woods’ playing career holds at this point is purely extra icing on the cake. Woods acknowledged he was fortunate to be alive after the accident and that his plans to play golf again will remain dependent on the strides, or steps, he is able to make in the coming weeks and months. Expect to hear more from Tiger as he hosts this week’s Hero World Challenge and continues his recovery progress.