Tiger Woods expects full recovery from neck pain

The world number one, forced to withdraw from the final round of last week's Players Championship in Florida, said the inflamed joint would be cured through physical therapy.

"I now need to take care of this condition and will return to playing golf when I'm physically able," American Woods, 34, said on his official website (web.tigerwoods.com).

Woods gave no hint as to his possible return to the game but said the injury would be treated through soft-tissue massage, rest and anti-inflammatory medicine.

The 14-times major winner added that the prognosis was for a full recovery, although a return date to competitive golf was contingent on how quickly the condition healed.

"I want to practise, I want to play," he said earlier this week. "I want to compete but this (neck injury) is not allowing me to be able to do the things that I need to do in my golf swing to hit the proper shots.