Sad reality of Tiger Woods’ decline laid bare as he reveals why he doesn’t watch golf anymore

Life begins at 40.

Just not for Tiger Woods it seems, as the milestone stalks the golfer much the same way he used to enjoy hunting down opponents on the back nine on Saturdays and Sundays at major golf events. The former champion didn't feature at last week's U.S Masters in Augusta, and judging by a stunning interview in Time Magazine published today, we may never see the 14-time major winner strike a ball in anger again. Years of injury and well documented personal problems have taken their toll, and the man who has won over 100 golf tournaments worldwide is now so disillusioned with the sport, he can hardly bare to watch it.

"I can’t remember the last time I watched golf. I can’t stand it. Unless one of my friends has a chance to win, then I like watching it. I watched Jason [Day] win the PGA. But it was on mute. It’s always on mute and I have some other game on another TV."

Woods is recovering from double surgery on his back and has explained in the interview that his rehab is just ten minutes of walking per day on a beach. He is simply unable to do anymore, but is determined to try and force himself into playing golf again, if his body allows. The 39-year-old is missed from the PGA and European tours, but his reputation as one of the best golfers of all-time is secure, even if he claims he's not bothered about how history will depict him.

"The greatest thing that could happen is to not be remembered. What I mean by that is, the kids right now, they don’t know that Michael Jordan played. They see a Jumpman [logo] and they think, that’s so cool. I’m talking young kids, really young kids, single digits in age, they have no idea who Michael Jordan was, but the Jumpman logo is cool. Now, for me, they don’t understand who that is. My learning center, kids go through it and they don’t know who I am. They don’t know what I’ve done. But it’s a safe haven for them to learn and grow."

His career may not be done yet, but anyone who has had the misfortune to see him struggle with a loss of form and fitness over the last eight years must wonder if he can ever get back to even a percentage of his top form. Woods admits that even if he does make a comeback, it won't be anything near his peak. But his determination and competitive instincts remain intact.

"By the time I was 11 years old, I had already won 113 tournaments. I peaked at 11, to be honest with you. I went 36 and 0 that year, never lost a tournament, all in California. And I probably had the cutest girlfriend in all of sixth grade. And I had straight As. No A-minuses. They were all perfect A’s. I peaked at 11. I’ve been trying to get back to that since."

Let's hope for his sake, he can.