AUGUSTA, GA - APRIL 03:  Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson of the United States talk on the 11th hole  during a practice round prior to the start of the 2018 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 3, 2018 in Augusta, Georgia.  (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
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03:55 - Source: CNN

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Woods reveals struggle with ankle injury

Plays at Hero World Challenge this week

CNN  — 

His back is healing, but Tiger Woods revealed he is struggling with ankle pain at the Hero World Challenge.

The 14-time major champion, who has enjoyed a successful season after returning from career-threatening back injuries, appeared to be walking with discomfort during the first round of the invitational event in the Bahamas.

The former world No.1 later admitted his ankles were troubling him.

“I’ve struggled with my ankles over the last few months. Still the same issues,” said Woods, who won the season-ending Tour Championship in September for his first title in five years.

“They’ve just been sore for months, just wear and tear.”

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Woods plays off the third hole at the Hero World Challenge.

Woods, 42, toiled on the first day of the tournament which benefits his charity, carding a one-over 73 to place him tied for 16th in an 18-man field.

Earlier in the week, Woods said his form this year had surprised him to the extent he was “not physically prepared to play that much golf at the end of the year.”

He added he was “worn out mentally, physically, emotionally” by the time he played in the Ryder Cup a month ago.

Woods returned from a fourth major back operation in April 2017 to record his lowest finish at a major in a decade when he finished runner-up at the US PGA in August.

He then secured his 80th PGA Tour title at the Tour Championship at East Lake, Atlanta.