Ryder Cup-winning captain Paul McGinley, speaking on Sky Sports, said once Woods’ health issues are under control he should focus his attentions on his role as chairman of the PGA Tour’s Future Competition Committee.

“A lot of people are running out of patience now, including himself and his family by all accounts from what he said yesterday. He realises the seriousness of the situation and I think it’s a line in the sand,” said McGinley.

“I don’t think it’s fair to write him off fully but it’s highly improbable that he wins another tournament again, never mind a major.”

On the role he believes Woods can play in the sport’s future, McGinley said: “He’s a very important ally for [chief executive] Brian Rolapp in terms of trying to herd everybody behind the PGA Tour’s future vision.

“There’s nobody better positioned to coerce players into a future for the tour than Tiger Woods because they are all so much in awe of them because of what he achieved as a golfer.”