Tiger Woods is back to taking full swings and hitting lengthy shots with his driver, according to CBSSports.com.

With the British Open just five weeks away, the world's best known golfer is gearing up in his rehab and might even be ready to return to the links from the back surgery he underwent months ago by the time that tournament opens in late July.

Tiger Woods back by British Open?

Not only could Woods be back by then, Las Vegars oddsmakers have installed him as a 7-1 favorite to win the tournament he previously claimed back in 2006.

Woods recently told reporters he has no timetable for when he might return to action adding, "what's it going to feel like? Am I going to be pain free? Am I going to be able to actually do this again, where I can to get out of bed, and go out there and play with my kids and play golf? All those things "

Overall, the 38-year-old Woods has won 14 majors, just four short of Jack Nicklaus' record of 18. Still. Woods has not won a major since his much publicized 2009 cheating scandal during which several women stepped forward to claim they had engaged in affairs with him.

More recently, Woods has been reported to be dating Olympic gold medal skier Lindsey Vonn, who has maintained Woods' competitive nature has been the perfect balance balance for her in regulating their relationship.