Tiger Woods dreams of a better 2016

Tiger Woods can see the light at the end of the tunnel in 2016, and it's not necessarily in the form of retirement.

With his 40th birthday just a week away, Woods used a blog on the PGA Tour's website to look optimistically towards a pain-free year, while reflecting on a 2015 campaign blighted by injuries, poor form and a plummeting world ranking.

"The thing I'm looking forward to the most about 2016 is getting back out there again," he wrote. "I've missed it, and I would like to do it pain-free.

Looking forward to 2016: Tiger Woods. Photo: Getty Images

"I haven't done that in what seems like a long time. I've had it in spurts the last few years and have done some pretty good things, but I'd like to have sustained health."

The greatest player of his generation and arguably of all time, Woods has not won a tournament anywhere since the 2013 WGC-Bridgestone Invitational and his title drought in the major championships dates back to the 2008 US Open.

But the man who stood at No.1 for a record total of 683 weeks, and is now stunningly ranked 414th, says it doesn't mean the end of the era that even he hinted at last month.

"Where do I see myself in the next five to 10 years? I am still playing golf at the highest level and winning tournaments and major championships," he said.

Woods, who has slipped in recent years due to injuries and mastering of a new swing, thought he was back to form after tying for 10th at the Wyndham Championship in August, following a dismal season in which he missed three cuts in the majors.

But three weeks later he had a second microdiscectomy surgery to alleviate pressure on a disc in his lower back, before needing another procedure in late October on the same area due to discomfort.

"As far as 2015, it was a tough year physically and took a toll on my body," he said.

"I had to battle through a swing pattern change and get that organised, because it was awful at the beginning of the year ... the frustrating part was not being able to build on it throughout the year.

"To finally have it switch and turn in the last event I played at the Wyndham Championship, and then lo and behold, I can't physically do it any more ... so it's been a roller-coaster ride the entire year."

Reuters