The 14-time major champion maintains he is "progressing nicely" after a third back operation in October, but says he won't resume his career until he can practice, play and recover with no ill effects.
And despite not having won a major since 2008, the 40-year-old still believes he can overhaul Nicklaus' record of 18 major titles. The "Golden Bear" won his final three majors past the age of 40, including his famous 1986 Masters title as a 46-year-old.
"I think his major championship record is certainly still attainable," Woods told reporters at a media day for the PGA Tour's Quicken Loans National tournament that he hosts at Congressional Country Club in Maryland.
Woods is also keen to beat Sam Snead's record of 82 PGA Tour wins -- he lies second on the list with 79 titles, the last of which came in August 2013.
"It would be nice to end up at No. 1 on both lists," he said. "That's a long way away and it's going to take time to get to that point but hopefully I can get back out here and play to that level."
