Tiger Woods will not play in any professional events for the rest of the season as he continues a lengthy recovery from back surgeries, bringing into question his future in golf.

The 40-year-old's decision means the best golfer of his generation will be away from the sport for over a year when, and if, he returns.

Woods, who is recovering from multiple back surgeries that have kept him out of action for nearly 12 months, hinted earlier this year he might not play this season before it was finally made official on Tuesday (Wednesday AEST).

The PGA Championship announced Woods had withdrawn from the July 28-31 event at Baltusrol, marking the first time he will miss all four majors in a calendar year, while his agent confirmed his client is done for the season.

"Not going to play in the '15/'16 season. We will assess this Fall when to come back and play for the '16/'17 season," Mark Steinberg said in an email to Reuters after the Golf Channel first reported the news.

The 2016-17 PGA Tour season starts in mid-October in Napa, California, which marks the start of a seven-tournament run through November before the schedule resumes in January.

No one, not even Woods, can possibly know how the former world No.1 will fare when he makes his PGA Tour return after an absence that dates back to the Wyndham Championship in August 2015, where he tied for 10th.

Woods, who made 11 starts on the PGA Tour last season and just seven the season before, had his first back surgery in early 2014.

A second microdiscectomy was performed last September with a follow-up procedure six weeks later.

In late February, Woods posted a video of him swinging a club in front of an indoor golf simulator, seemingly without discomfort.

A week later, the 14-times major champion said he was feeling better and had intentions of playing again.

In mid-May, Woods said he was progressing well but then hit three balls into the water on a short par-three hole during an exhibition to promote a tournament he hosts.

Last month, Woods indicated he might not return to competition this year.

A winner of 79 PGA Tour titles, Woods was world No.1 a record total of 683 weeks but his ranking has plummeted to a mind-boggling 628th.

Woods has not won a tournament since 2013 and last won a major at the 2008 US Open.