‘It’s setback after setback for him, and it’s really weighing heavily on him,’ the friend said. ‘He’s really frustrated as he figures out how to come back.

‘He was p***ed at himself (at the PGA Championship). He’s got to do better. He would hate to have his career end up with him just limping around like a tired old horse. He doesn’t want to be embarrassing. He still wants to be a force.’

Tiger Woods has missed the cut at The Masters and the PGA Championship so far this year

A close friend has claimed Woods is worried about the manner in which his career could end

Woods needed surgery after The Masters in 2023 to alleviate symptoms of plantar fasciitis.

Woods was injured in 2021 when his car careened off a suburban Los Angeles road at over 85 mph, crushing his right leg so badly that he said doctors considered amputation

The source close to Woods also said that while he is taking a heightened interest in his 15-year-old son Charlie’s game, he is cautious of putting too much pressure on the teenager’s shoulders.

‘It’s almost funny to watch Tiger sometimes,’ the source was quoted as saying about him watching his son out on the course. ‘He gets so excited watching.

‘If there’s a bad shot, he’ll wince. But he holds his tongue a lot; his dad was legendary, but pushed Tiger maybe too much.

‘Tiger wants to be a balance of pushing, but also supporting and nurturing. He’s trying not to put too much pressure on Charlie.’

Woods has also been linked with taking over as USA captain for the next Ryder Cup, held at Bethpage in New York next year.

DailyMail.Com reported earlier in May that while Woods had hinted the role might not be right for him as the PGA Tour and LIV continue their power struggle, he was set for more talks about the vacancy.

Woods is also feeling cautious about how he follows his son Charlie’s career in golf

Woods has struggled in recent years with a number of issues that have impacted his game

PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh insisted Woods will not be rushed into making a call, explaining: ‘We have had conversations for months.

‘We have also had conversations at the Ryder Cup committee, multiple conversations about potential captains and a list of potential captains. You know, Tiger, has been pretty clear.

‘I think we all know that he can be pretty focused, and that’s one of his many superpowers – that ability to tunnel and decide.

‘And he doesn’t do anything that he’s not fully committed to, and we totally respect that. And he’s got a lot on his plate right now.

‘He’s very active, obviously, on the PGA Tour side of things (in their negotiations with the Saudi Arabian backers of the LIV circuit).