Former world number one Rory McIlroy has said the time when the golfing world will have to move on without Tiger Woods is approaching.
Woods made his eagerly-awaited return from a 15-month injury layoff at the Hero World Challenge in December but, to date, it's been the only tournament he's been able to complete this season with his body letting him down.
"I've always said golf is way better with Tiger Woods playing, Tiger Woods playing well," McIlroy said.
"But unfortunately, right now his body isn't allowing him to do that."
Woods hasn't managed more than 12 events in a season since 2009, consistently struggling with injuries.
And McIlroy, who's a good friend of Woods' said it might just be the way it is from now on.
"However long it is that it takes him to be healthy enough to get out here to play, even if he plays 8-10 times a year, it’s a bonus for all of us.
"It’s a bonus for him, it’s a bonus for us, and it’s a bonus for golf in general."
Despite his injury issues and a prolonged absence from the PGA Tour, Woods is still one of the biggest draw cards of the golfing world with his presence in a tournament often overshadowing the rest of the field.
But with only nine top 10 finishes since 2013, his effect on the golfing world has almost completed depleted.
"I think golf is better with him involved but there's going to be a point where we'll have to move on and golf has to live without tiger.
"I think with what you've seen over the past few weeks with all the younger guys winning, it's in a good place and hopefully we can continue to carry the game forward with or without tiger being there.
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