Torrey Pines, CA …

Tiger Woods admitted he was excited in learning his return from a 17-month injury lay-off would be playing the opening two rounds of the Farmers Insurance Open alongside World No. 1 Jason Day and World No. 3 Dustin Johnson.

Woods will tee-up for a first time on the PGA Tour since sharing 10th place in August 2015 at the Wyndham Championship.

He competed in December’s Hero World Challenge, an invitational event in the Bahamas but this week it’s all about getting himself established onto the PGA Tour where he’s enjoyed 70 victories.

Tiger Woods competing in today’s Farmers Insurance Pro-Am. (Photo – @tourmiss)

And when asked what he thought about his opening rounds grouping Woods commented:  “I was excited.”

Bernie asked then asked:  “Is that what you wanted, to be thrown straight back into the deep end?

Woods replied smiling:  “Why wouldn’t you?  You know, that’s two guys that are the best in the world and they’re up there and playing some unbelievable golf and they’re good friends of mine.  I couldn’t have asked for a better pairing.

Tiger Woods speaks to the media ahead return to competition at 2017 Farmers Insurance Open.

Bernie then followed up asking if Woods had a sense of not wanting to fall into the trap tomorrow trying to match those two off the tee?

Woods answered:  “Oh, hell, no.  I can’t carry the ball 320 yards out here on this vista stuff.  Those guys will bomb it out there, that’s fine.  I’ll just play my game and the name of the game is low score.  It’s not a long drive contest.

“You know, I was looking up a stat the other day and I saw that I averaged I believe 296 in ’97 and I was second longest to John Daly, and I think Jason last year averaged 305 and he barely cracked the top 15.  So it’s a different game.  I’m longer now than I’ve ever been, but it’s all relative.  Everybody’s bombing it out there now.  Dustin’s coming off of playing great in Abu Dhabi and Jason’s been playing well.

“It will be fun”.