Hero World Challenge

The 41-year-old was back in action for the first time in 301 days on Thursday and showed glimpses of promise as he carded a three under 69.

Tommy Fleetwood leads the way in the Bahamas after a superb round, but all the focus surrounded Woods and his latest comeback.

After plenty of talk in the days building up to the event in Albany, Woods teed off with no signs of the back problems that have hampered his life over the past two years – the former world number one having four surgeries in that time.

Woods' return this week will make it the 10th time he has returned from layoffs that were 10 weeks or longer.

His latest layoff was a result of his fourth back surgery, which was in April, to remove a disk that was causing nerve pain.  

"The fact that I don't have any pain in my lower back anymore compared to what I was living with for years... it's just remarkable,'' Woods is quoted by ESPN. 

The competition in Albany, Bahamas, is not a PGA Tour event, but all eyes in the world of golf will be watching as Woods makes his long-awaited comeback from a persistent back injury on November 30.

The 18-player field will be a good benchmark for the 41-year-old to measure his progress, with six of the top eight in the world rankings - Dustin Johnson, Jordan Spieth, Hideki Matsuyama, Justin Thomas, Jason Day, and Rickie Fowler - scheduled to play.

Woods said: "I am excited to return to competitive golf at the Hero World Challenge.

 "I am excited to make my return at the Hero World Challenge," the 14-times major winner was quoted as saying.

The Tiger Woods Foundation is a charitable beneficiary of the tournament.

The 40-year-old American has been sidelined for 15 months due to back-related issues.

Woods was set to play in the PGA Tour's first event of the new season - the Safewat Open, last month but pulled out just days before the first round.

Photo: PHOTOSPORT