Former U.S. Open champion Michael Campbell says he feels sorry for Tiger Woods. 

Campbell made the comment in a recent interview with bunkered.

Woods, 48, has no plans to play professional golf again for the remainder of the year.

After missing the cut at the final men’s major the year – his fourth in a row – the 15-time major champion said he we would next see him in action at the PNC Championship alongside his teenage son Charlie.

The golfer described the tournament, which features major champions and their family members, as his ‘fifth major’.

Tiger Woods

And Woods will also play the Hero World Challenge in Albany, Bahamas.

He serves as the tournament host and rocks up to the invite-only PGA Tour event in his yacht, Privacy.

“It’s a real shame,” Campbell, 55, told the publication of Woods.

“Through my whole career I played a lot with him. He was awesome.

“To see how he’s playing now… I feel sorry for him.”

Campbell reckons Woods needs to re-think his schedule going forward.

Woods has previously said he would not risk injury by playing regular PGA Tour events in the build-up to major championships.

But the competitive rust is evident.

Campbell said he believes Woods will use PGA Tour Champions events as tune-ups and will likely use a cart.

Woods will be eligible for the seniors’ circuit in two years’ time.

He has also been given a lifetime exemption into the signature events, but Woods said he would not take someone else’s spot in the field.

“He’s got a scorecard in his back pocket and he’s not putting too much strain on his leg [at PGA Tour Champions events] so there’s a chance he could do that building up to The Open or The Masters,” Campbell said.

“To me, it’s a no-brainer.”

Tiger Woods

Unsurprisingly, Campbell said that Woods may have one last hurrah left in him.

Tom Watson almost won The Open in 2009 at 59 years old, Campbell said.

He added: “He’s not as long as he used to be.

“The only tournament that he could win where length isn’t a factor and it’s more about game management is an Open.

“I still think he can win a major.

“The Open isn’t about length but its about hitting your targets. It’s going to be tough for him but I still think it’s possible.

“If you think about Tom Watson, he hardly played at all.

“He played a few Champions Tour events but he wasn’t playing much.

“I still think he’s got a great high percentage [chance] of winning an Open.”