Tiger Woods says he is “pain-free” as he prepares for his first PGA Tour event of 2024 at the Genesis Invitational, which starts on Thursday.

But the 15-time major champion added he is still adapting after the ankle surgery he underwent in April 2023.

Woods’ schedule has been limited since injuring his leg in a car crash in 2021 and he last played in December.

“My ankle doesn’t hurt any more – the bones aren’t rubbing any more,” said the 48-year-old.

“But then again it’s different – other parts of my body have to take the brunt of it, just like my back is fused and so other parts of my body have taken the brunt of that,” added Woods, who expects to play in one event a month this year.

“I have two different body parts that are now fused. Other parts of the body have to adapt.”

Woods withdrew from the Masters in April 2023 before making his return to competitive action at the Hero World Challenge in December but says he still has ambitions to play for as long as possible.

“I still love competing, I love playing, I love being a part of the game of golf,” he said.

“This is the game of a lifetime and I don’t ever want to stop playing.”

Woods’ last win on the PGA Tour was at the 2019 Zozo Championship in Japan, which saw him equal Sam Snead’s record of 82 Tour victories.