Ten days after his knee operation, Tiger Woods was yearning to return to the PGA Tour without having a clear idea of his next event.

The world number one expected to be sidelined for between four and six weeks after having arthroscopic surgery on his left knee in Park City, Utah on April 15th.

"I'm a little stir crazy," Woods said in his monthly newsletter. "Although I've been through this before and understand the need for patience, I don't enjoy sitting around.

"I really don't have a timetable for returning to competition. The doctors have said I should be able to play again in four to six weeks but nothing is certain. I'm just going to do what they tell me to do."

Woods will not defend his title at next week's Wachovia Championship and also misses the prestigious Players Championship the following week for the first time in his career.

He had been hoping to play in the Memorial tournament starting on May 29th but his main focus is on the June 12th-15th.

U.S. Open at Torrey Pines in California where he will seek his 14th major title.

"At least I'm done with the crutches," said the 32-year-old American. "I'm wearing a knee brace and hope to start rehabilitating soon.

"I knew a couple of months ago I was going to have the surgery. The knee has been bugging me for a while.

"The only decision was do you miss the U.S. Masters or play. I decided to play. Even if I had won I still would have had surgery."

Woods, who has had two previous operations on his left knee, underwent his third surgery two days after finishing second at this month's Masters.

"I've definitely been playing in pain but that's not why I didn't win at Augusta," he added. "I just never got comfortable with my putting stroke."

Woods, a four-times champion at Augusta National, finished three shots behind South African Trevor Immelman who clinched his first major win.

"I called Trevor Immelman a couple of days later to congratulate him," Woods said. "He was on the TV circuit so I didn't actually talk to him but I left a voice message.

"Nobody has ever doubted his ability. He has a beautiful golf swing and it was only a matter of time before he put it all together at a major championship."

Reuters