By Evin Priest

TIGER Woods has breathed life into rumours he plans to return to competitive golf at his own tournament in December. But even more surprising, the 14-time Major winner has refused to rule himself out of the race of beat Jack Nicklaus’ record 18 Majors.

In an exclusive interview with CBS broadcaster Charlie Rose, the 14-time Major champion fuelled speculation he will return to golf at the Tiger Woods Foundation-run Hero World Challenge, December 1-4, at Albany in the Bahamas.

“I’m hoping to come back in December,” Woods told Rose. But the 79-time US PGA Tour winner said his golf game required “more hard work.”

“Of course, Charlie. You know, I miss being out there. I miss competing. I miss mixing it up with the boys and coming down the stretch.”

That was in reference to the fact Woods announced several months ago he “hoped” to return to the US PGA Tour at the 2016/17 season-opening Safeway Open in Napa, California only to withdraw days before the event.

Golf fans were hoping that by returning to golf after 14 months spent rehabilitating from a second microdiscectomy surgery on his back, he would resume the quest to better the 18 Major championships won by Nicklaus. Though the task has appeared unassailable Woods with injuries in recent years the man himself is not giving up.

Rose: Do you believe you’ll get 18 majors?
Woods: To be honest with you, no.
Rose: You don’t?
Woods: No.

“I’ve accepted I’m going to get more.” [Laughs].

Watch the interview here.