Jack Nicklaus says he’s also no wiser when Tiger Woods will return to competition.

Woods was among some two dozen USA Ryder Cup team players and officials who were guests of Nicklaus last Thursday night as a ‘team bonding’ occasion ahead of September’s showdown at Hazeltine.

It’s the first time a USA Team has met as early in the history of the biennial competition.

And when the 18-time Major winning Nicklaus attended the final round of the Honda Classic, and so relaxed he was in his house slippers without socks, he was first asked whether he spoke to Woods and if so, if Woods hinted when he may rejoin the PGA Tour.

Jack Nicklaus says he’s also no wiser when Tiger Woods will return to competition.

“First time I’ve spoken to Tiger was the other night at dinner.  He talked a lot.  There was an article written about Tiger and what he told, he was feeling good and he told that to everybody,” said Nicklaus.

“He says he was feeling good and he was feeling great and he was able to stand over a putt and chip now without having any leg pain and so forth.  I just, you know, we didn’t really talk a whole lot about it.  Wished him well.  We talked a little bit about ‑‑ he never said ‑‑ he doesn’t have a timetable for returning or anything else.

“But I think he was just ‑‑ I don’t think ‑‑ he’s pretty private about what his situation is and I don’t blame him, because every time he opens his mouth, there’s nothing but articles written about speculation about Tiger.  And I don’t want to break his ‑‑ he likes it when we talk, we talk about different things.

Jack Nicklaus as many have never seen him before and wearing his house slippers without socks.

“So I think that’s fine.  But he looked very good.  He looked very healthy.  And he really misses playing.  So that’s good.”

However Nicklaus was not about to break any confidence in their conversation but added: “I just don’t think it’s my place to expound on Tiger’s health and so forth.

“I’ve told Tiger many times and I told him again the other night, I said, you know, Tiger, you know, and you and I have talked about it, nobody wants their records to be broken, but I don’t want you not to have the ability to have that opportunity to do so by your health.

“So I wish you well and I hope you get healthy, hope you get to play, hope you get out there as soon as you feel like you can play, and I hope you do well.  Basically that’s what I had with Tiger.”