Woods hopes to beat vagaries of 'father time' to compete at golf's top level

Despite admitting that he can no longer drive as far as many players, former world number one golfer Tiger Woods has claimed that he can still beat the vagaries of father time to compete at golf's top level.

The veteran American golfer returns to competition at the World Challenge in Florida on Thursday, his first event since August following back problems. He said that father time is undefeated, adding that they all lose some things they could do.

Woods said that he cannot blow it out there with some younger guys any more, but claimed that there are other ways. He said that one can win at a late age, The BBC reported.

Woods plays alongside Australian Jason Day in the opening round at his home course, the Isleworth Golf and Country Club in Windermere, Florida.

The American said that one doesn't have to physically dominate in golf, adding that one just has to turn up and play. He said that he is not quite 40 yet, adding that he still has some time.

Woods won the most recent of his 14 majors in 2008 at the age of 32 and is still waiting to gain further ground on the record of 18 held by Jack Nicklaus, the report added.