Tiger Woods returns to golf this week in what will clearly be the most-watched round of golf all season.

Not since Woods teed-up earlier this year at the Farmers Insurance Open and then travelled onto to Dubai has there been so much interest in how the former long-time World No. 1 will perform.

Since withdrawing ahead of the second round of the Dubai Desert Classic Woods underwent in April  a fourth operation on his much-troubled back.

Tiger Woods drives off the fourth after moments earlier recording a first birdie at the 2016 Hero World Challenge. (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)

Back after nearly 10-months on the sidelines Woods will tee-up Thursday in his hosted Hero World Challenge at the exclusive Albany course in the Bahamas.

Woods with join 17 other players including eight of the world’s top-10 and headed by World No. 1 Dustin Johnson.

Woods got his first look at this week’s exclusive host venue in a year when he played a practice round early Sunday morning (local time) in the company of his caddy, Joe La Cava and good friend Nota Begay.

And a quick two-hour practice round he spoke with ESPN’s renowned Bob Harig.

“I am a little surprised,” Woods said. “The fact that I don’t have any pain in my lower back compared to what I was living with for years, it’s just remarkable.”

“It could be the next step, I just didn’t know when the pain would occur.

“That’s tough to live with. And it’s been a struggle for years. To finally come out on the good side of it is exciting. I am stiffer.

“Of course, my lower back is fused. But I don’t have the pain. Life is so much better.”