For now, Woods remains focused on his recovery from back surgery. His plan is to be ready for the U.S. Open in mid-June. Observers believe his first tournament of 2016 will be the Memorial, the first weekend of June, if not The Players Championship, which starts May 12.

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During a clinic at his annual Tiger Jam charity event, Woods was asked when he’d be back on the course competing in a PGA tournament.

“Dude, if I could tell you, I would, because I’m sick and tired of being on the sidelines. I want to start competing against these boys. I miss it,” he said.

While carrying on playful banter with the crowd, Woods hit shots as he would at a tournament. He said his drives carry 285-290 yards, which “is not that far compared to what I can do. I’ve got a lot more in the tank. … Right now, you see me just cruising, hitting shots. I’m not going to hurt myself out here.”

A photo posted by Tiger Woods (@tigerwoods) on Apr 29, 2016 at 11:56am PDT

Woods hasn’t played since finishing tied for 10th at the Wyndham Championship last August. He registered to play in the U.S. Open June 16-19 at Oakmont Country Club, near Pittsburgh.