Nassau, Bahamas …
Tiger Woods insists it was still a sign he’s progressing despite posting a final hole double bogey on day three of the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas.
Woods, who is ending a 466-injury absence, was tied in third place with seven holes to play on route to posting a two under par 70 to fall back into share of 10th at eight under par in the 17-player field.
Woods kept the golfing Cinderella dream return alive in igniting his third day right from the outset with three one-putt birdies in succession to race to nine under par in the £STG 2.8m event before the shot of his round at the par three fifth hole.
The current World No. 898th ranked golfer found a bunker but soon has his right arm high in the air, and with his finger indicating No. 1, in sending the shot to the bottom of the cup.
Tiger Woods insists he’s taking steps forward despite a late round set-back on day three of the Hero World Challenge.
It was his best start to any round since four birdies in eight holes on day two of the 2015 Quicken Loans event and all of 17 months ago.
Woods three-putted the sixth for only a second bogey in two dozen holes but got the shot back at the next for a fifth birdie of his round after an up-and-down from a bunker.
Woods headed to the 10th having taken just 12 putts and using the putter that earned him 13 of his 14 Major victories.
The tournament host birdied the 11th for a second day to move to 11-under
However, the Ernie Els designed course began to bite back with Woods missing fairways at 13 and then three-putting from just off the green for a second bogey of his round.
Woods also missed the 14th fairway on route to a back-to-back bogey ahead of a birdie at 17 but then finding water guarding the green with his second shot at the last.
He said: “I got off to a great start but just hit a few bad putts there in the middle part of my round but then there at 18 I just caught it fat and the wind just smoked it.
“The thing it this is a still a positive step forward for me because when you think about it I have gotten off to some really good starts the first three days and generally when I do come back from lay-offs that is the part of the game that most concerns me getting those half-decent good starts.
“Though coming into this event I didn’t have much expectation because I didn’t know what to expect as I had not played in a very long time, and even thought what happened to Rosie (Justin Rose -withdrew on day two with back injury) could easily again happen to me.
“But with a round to play now what I am looking for more than anything is a good low round and to have said I played four solid rounds.
“I am just pleased to be back to pleased to be able to compete at this level again as it’s been a very difficult road.”
Red-hot Hideki Matsuyama will take a seven shot lead into the final day of the event having shot a third day 65 for a 19 under par tally.
The Japan No. 1 has won three of past four events.
