Tiger Woods has not yet decided whether he will take part in the Open Championship at Royal St George's in two weeks time.

The former World number one is recuperating after aggravating knee and Achilles injuries at the Players Championship in May and has not hit a shot in almost seven weeks.

The odds on Woods taking part do appear to be lengthening as he says he will only compete if he feels he has a chance of lifting the Claret Jug.

Woods said: "I want to be out there playing, but I'm just not quite ready yet.

"Everything is progressing. Both the knee and the Achilles are getting better, but I haven't hit any golf balls yet.

"It was a borderline call whether I should have played The Players. I wasn't quite 100 per cent and unfortunately I hurt myself there.

"This time around it's different - I'm setting no timetable. I'm just going to learn my lesson and come back when I'm 100 per cent."

He added: "I don't know when that is going to be. I am getting stronger, but I don't know about the British. I'm just playing it by ear right now.

"I've played through injuries before, I've played hurt, I've played in pain - that's just part of playing sports - but I'm not going to do that again."

Should Woods be fit to tee-off he will join the field in the 151st British Open vying for £5m of prize money - a £200,000 increase on last year's highest ever total.

The 2011 champion will collect £900,000 - up £50,000 from last year - with £520,000 for the runner-up.