Future is bright after comeback, insists Woods

Bahamas, December 4: Tiger Woods said the future is bright as the 14-time major champion looked ahead to formalising his PGA Tour plans after making a successful return to golf.

Woods finishes strongly, Fowler masterclass seals title

Woods did not win the Hero World Challenge on Sunday – that honour went to countryman Rickie Fowler – but the legendary American emerged unscathed in his first competitive event in 10 months.

The 41-year-old recovered from a fourth back operation in April to feature in the Bahamas, where he finished tied for ninth on eight under following his final-round 68.

Woods closed out the tournament with three rounds in the 60s (69 and two 68s) and a blip on Saturday – a 75 – and the fan favourite is buoyed by his showing at the Albany Golf Course.

"I'm excited," Woods said afterwards on Sunday.

"I had the adrenaline going and overall I'm very pleased. I knew I was going to be able to play all four rounds, that wasn't going to be an issue.

"The issue was how was my scoring going to be, how was my feel, how am I going to get used to the adrenaline in my system for the first time in a while.

"That took a little bit of time. I was still good with my irons, I drove it pretty good all week, made some good putts.

"I showed some good signs, I hit some really good shots out there and [it's] a bright future."

Woods could make his full-field return at January's Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines, the scene of his last official Tour appearance.

"We're going to sit down, we'll figure it out, where I'm going to start, how much I'm going to play, rest periods, training cycles, the whole nine yards," he added.

"My expectations are we'll be playing next year. How many, where, I don't know yet, but we'll figure it out."

Source: OPTA