Tiger Woods has delayed his return to competitive golf as he feels his game is still “vulnerable” to the demands of playing at the top level.

The former world number one had planned to compete at this week’s Safeway Open in California but has now withdrawn, citing doubts about his current level of play.

Woods has not been seen on the PGA Tour since August 2015 when he was forced to pull out of the Wyndham Championship due to a back problem.

He has since had two bouts of surgery to alleviate the pain and after last month outlining his plans to return this week, something he confirmed last Friday, he has now been forced to wait.

The 40-year-old was also due to play at November’s Turkish Airlines Open but has revealed he does not think he will be ready to take part in that event either.

His planned appearance at his own tournament, the Hero World Challenge in December, is another outing that looks in doubt, further fuelling doubts about his future in the game.

In a statement released on his official website, the 14-time major winner insisted it was his game and not his previous injuries that were the issue.

The statement read: “After a lot of soul searching and honest reflection, I know that I am not yet ready to play on the PGA Tout or compete in Turkey.

My health is good, and I feel strong, but my game is vulnerable and not where it needs to be. “This isn’t what I wanted to happen, but I will continue to strive to be able to play tournament golf.

I’m close, and I won’t stop until I get there.” Despite his latest setback, Woods remains 41.00 to win the 2017 Masters and is 51.00 to claim the US Open.