TIGER Woods is finally back on the green after a terrible car accident that nearly claimed his life. The golf legend knows that he still has a long road ahead of him and that it will be a difficult recovery process that will have major consequences for his career.

The great 45-year old acknowledged that he wouldn't be able play as full-time as before.

Woods stated to Golf Digest that he misses golf and plans to return to it, but that he knows he cannot return to the same brutal schedule he endured for so many years.

He told the publication that he believes it is possible to play the tour in one day, but never full-time or ever again.

I can still play the game of golf. He said that if my leg is healthy, I could still play in the game of golf.

"But I don't believe that climbing up the mountain again and reaching the top is a realistic expectation for me.

Woods spent the majority of the year recuperating from his February horror attack in Los Angeles.

After the accident that left him with multiple injuries to his foot and right leg, there were concerns the 15-time major champion might never be able to swing a club again.

He was seen hitting the ball again last week, his first since he had flipped his car.

He stated, "Obviously, when my endorphins start pumping, and I get moving in the gym, I want to go, get, go."

"But then again everyone reminds me at which cost."

His past injuries and experiences on the many tours that shaped his career, are what explains his positive outlook.

"To win every tournament I participated in, I would do all I could. There is a cost to any sport. Woods stated that there is a cost to doing business. Unfortunately, for both men and women in sports, injuries are part of it."

Woods said, "I don’t have to play against the best players around the world to live a great lifestyle."

"After my back fusion, it was necessary to climb Mount Everest once more. It was something I had to do, and it was.

"This time, I don’t think I’ll be able to climb Mount Everest. That’s okay. I can still play golf."

Woods stated that his number one goal was to be able walk again after spending six months on crutches.

He was traveling at nearly twice the speed limit at 87 mph when he lost control and crashed into a tree in Los Angeles.

After fracturing his fibula and tibia, he needed urgent surgery. He was afraid his golf days would be over.

Tiger has had five back surgeries and five more on his left knee in his injury-ravaged career, but insists that this is the most severe.

Woods said: "There was a time when, although I wouldn't claim it was 50/50 at that point, it was close enough to there for me to walk out of the hospital with just one leg."

It's been difficult, it is obvious. I was in hospital for three weeks, and then I was back in hospital for three more months.

"I was at my house, but I was still in hospital bed - and I didn’t do anything."