Tiger Woods is just four days away from ending a 871 day absence as the world’d No. 1 ranked golfer.

The last time Woods was No. 1 in the world was 30th October, 2010.

However since then the 14-time Major winner has been steadily chipping away at the spot that’s been held by a handful of golfers including the current World No. 1 Rory McIlroy.

Woods heads into this week’s Arnold Palmer Invitational knowing an eighth victory in the event would send him back to the top of the rankings.

Bizarrely, the PGA Tour’s Brian Wacker has worked out Woods’ No. 1 absence down to the hour – 20,904.

That’s some absence as Woods agreed.

“It’s been a long process,” he said. “I was hurt for a long time, I had to make swing changes that were drastically different than what I was doing before. It’s taken some time.”

Actually, there was a time since late October 2010 when Woods actually fell outside the top 50 but five wins in the last 12 months, including two from five events this year,Woods has steadily clawed his way back to the top.

“To gradually work my way back, that’s something I’m proud of,” said Woods.

“And with my health good that’s been the biggest difference the last couple of years I’ve been able to do that now hence the results have been so much better than they were a few years ago.

“I just needed to get healthy. Once I got healthy and I was able to practice properly, I felt like then I could implement the swing changes that Sean (Foley) wanted me to put in there. But I needed to get healthy enough where I could practice. It happened to be a perfect storm where I was making a swing change, and I was hurt, and I couldn’t devote any time to it.”

“I feel like I’m headed in the right direction,” he said. “I’m very pleased where I’ve come from. Like I said, 50‑plus to where I’m at is no small task.”

And while Woods looks more than likely to return to World No. 1 he discounted those who believe Woods will only be back to his former self when he captures a 15th Major.

“That’s an opinion,” he said.

“I feel like I’m headed in the right direction. I’m very pleased where I’ve come from.  Like I said, 50-plus to where I’m at is no small task, and I’d like to get to 19-plus (Majors) myself.”