Tiger Woods

Woods fell foul of some expected rust, particularly off the tee, but his short game and touch around the green was often vintage Tiger, helping him fight back late to card an even-par 72.

And he came within inches of bringing the house down on the par-3 16th, dropping his tee shot just a hair away from the cup.

"It felt good, looked good, and then we were listening for some noise," Woods said of the near miss.

Woods, a 14-time major winner, came back from an eight-month lay-off with back problems to play at the Hero World Challenge in December.

The former world number one placed ninth in the Bahamas and is keen to play a full schedule this year.

With Woods returning, an impending battle to displace Dustin Johnson at the top of the rankings and a host of emerging talent coming through, Spieth is anticipating a great year for golf.

The 14-time major winner underwent back surgery in April and was sidelined for almost 10 months.

The American made his return earlier in December with four rounds at the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas,

"I hadn't played without pain for a long time - it was nice to just go out there and chill out," the 41-year-old wrote on his website.

"During that 10-month period I was away from the game, I had a hard time walking and often needed assistance getting out of bed.

"I appreciate competitive golf now more than I ever have."

The 41-year-old Woods, who has won 14 majors but none since 2008, is on the comeback trail after a lengthy spell on the sidelines due to injury.

He hired Como, an expert in biomechanics, in 2014, but has now decided to go it alone as he continues his recovery from a fourth back operation.

Woods said: "Since my fusion surgery I have been working hard to relearn my own body and golf swing.

"I have done this by primarily relying on my feel and previous years of hard work with Chris. For now, I think it's best for me to continue to do this on my own.

The 14-time major champion, 41, is recovering from a fourth back operation in the past three years and has not played since withdrawing from February's Dubai Desert Classic.

The 18-man Hero World Challenge, hosted by Woods in the Bahamas, is an unofficial money event on the PGA Tour.

Woods has not won a major since 2008.

The 14-time major winner appeared in front of a judge to enter his plea – with the state no longer pursuing a charge of DUI – before being put on probation for 12 months, hit with a fine of $250, ordered to pay $250 to victim services and entered into DUI school.

Woods must also undertake 50 hours of community service, amid a raft of probation conditions.

The 41-year-old was arrested on May 29 after police officers found him asleep at the wheel of his Mercedes, which was parked in a travel lane.

Woods – a 14-time major champion – has not played a competitive tournament since withdrawing from the Dubai Desert Classic in February after suffering another injury setback.

But the 41-year-old is close to a comeback after his agent – Mark Steinberg – said Woods met with the doctor who performed his fusion surgery for a check-up and received a positive update last week, though there is no timeframe on his return.

"He got a nice report and is allowed to proceed. He can do as much as he needs to do," Steinberg told ESPN.

The 14-time major champion said an arduous rehab process following the spinal fusion surgery he underwent in April had created uncertainty around whether his once remarkable career could continue.

41 year old Woods has not played a tournament since withdrawing prior to the second round of the Dubai Desert Classic in February.

Asked if there was a scenario in which he never competed again, Woods said: "Yeah, definitely. I don't know what my future holds for me."

In a wide-ranging post on his website that included thoughts about those affected by recent hurricanes and the earthquake in Mexico City as well as congratulations to outgoing U.S. Masters Tournament chairman Billy Payne, Woods said he is sleeping better and no longer has nerve pain going down his leg.

"I'm starting to hit the ball a little further, 60-yard shots. I have not taken a full swing since my back fusion surgery last April, but continue to chip and putt every day," the 14-times major champion said.

The 14-time major champion has endured a tumultuous year mired by injury and a DUI arrest that prompted treatment for his use of prescription pain medication. But Woods is back in the news for a positive reason, announcing that the doctors allowed him to chip around greens.

Dr. gave me the ok to start pitching pic.twitter.com/tboq1L3Xdn

— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) August 31, 2017