Tiger Woods is back practicing after recent back surgery boosting hopes he will compete in the defence of his Hoylake Open Championship next month.

Woods entry has been confirmed by the R & A and with the 38-year old seen practicing on the driving range at the Medallist Club and close to his residence in Jupiter, Florida.

The sight of Woods on the range boosts hopes of the 14-time Major winner competing in golf’s oldest Major after having to sit out this year’s Masters and last week’s U.S. Open.

Woods captured his 11th Major Championship eight years ago on a rock-hard Royal Liverpool course Hoylake where the 143rd Open will tee off on July 17th.

And despite the controversy of someone throwing purple die onto the 72nd green it was an emotional occasion for Woods given his father, Earl had passed away shortly before the event.

Woods’s agent Mark Steinberg told the PGA Tour’s website: ‘Tiger is making continual progress.

“‘He feels better each day and (is able to) extend his swing as he moves forward.’

Tiger Woods and his emotional victory in the 2006 Open at Hoylake.