Tiger Woods returns but fans and the player must not get carried away

This week's golf agenda feels rather familiar. A lucrative end-of-year shoot-out in the Bahamas between some of the world's best players, with a returning Tiger Woods the centre of attention.

We went through this narrative a year ago when he ended a 16-month absence and optimism abounded that the game's biggest superstar was back for keeps.

Of course, despite encouraging signs at the 2016 Hero World Challenge, it didn't last.

He made 24 birdies in that event and set out an ambitious early 2017 schedule. But it was quickly in tatters after a missed cut at Torrey Pines and a withdrawal from February's Dubai Desert Classic after only one round.

Subsequent sightings of the 14-time major champion have involved driving of the reckless kind, which led to his arrest in May, and a much healthier and enthusiastic appearance as a Presidents Cup vice-captain last September.

There then followed a drip feed of progressively more encouraging news releases suggesting this will be a lasting comeback, a clear message that nearly four debilitating years of injury have finally come to an end.

• Woods 'can do as much as he needs to do'
• Woods feeling 'good and strong' again
• Woods admits he may never return to competitive golf

"The fact I don't have any pain in my lower back anymore compared to what I was living with for years, it's just remarkable," Woods said during preparations for this week's 18-man tournament at Albany.

"It's been a struggle for years. To finally come out on the good side of it is exciting."

Woods is returning after undergoing an "anterior interbody lumbar fusion" on April 19 which effectively melded together spinal discs in his lower back to prevent the nerve pain that had threatened his career.

It has left him stiffer but, crucially, free of pain.

Perhaps significantly, his current comments are different to the way he spoke before his last tournament in Dubai. Then, he admitted having to adapt his golf swing to fit the demands of his troublesome back.

"Whether my swing looks classical, rhythmical or it may look unorthodox, I don't care. As long as I don't feel that nerve pain," he said at the time.

"Anyone who has ever had nerve pain in their back or anywhere in their spine, it's like hitting your funny bone a thousand times a day; it's just not fun."

The signs, so far, seem encouraging. Social media posts of his swing look good, with a potent snap through the ball and Woods looking healthy and appearing enthusiastic.

Reports from last week's friendly fourball involving President Donald Trump and world number one Dustin Johnson suggest Woods has plenty of distance off the tee too.

"I was impressed with how far he hit the ball," said former tour player Brad Faxon, who partnered Trump against the past and present world number ones.

"Probably on the 10 holes that they were both hitting driver, Tiger hit it past Dustin half the time and Dustin hit it past Tiger half the time."

Faxon was also impressed by Woods' short game - but there is a huge difference between a money match involving billionaires and the competitive circuit when titles are on the line.

"I haven't really competed in almost two years," Woods admitted.

"I'm looking forward to competing again and trying to find the rhythm and feel of tournament golf. Just hitting shots.

"I haven't really had a scorecard in my hand in a while. That's going to be different."

Woods goes into this week's tournament ranked 1,199 in the world. Completing all four rounds would be enough to propel him around 250 places higher.

Despite the current positive vibes, it is a very long way back to competing with the world's best players. Woods turns 42 on December 30 and has started only 19 events in the last three-and-a-half years.

Since then a talented young generation has taken a grip on the world game - spearheaded by Johnson, Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas. Can we, realistically, expect Woods to mix it with them at next year's majors?

Given all he has been through - there were three unsuccessful back procedures prior to the fusion operation - it would be a monumental achievement, one that would sit alongside anything the multiple-major champion has ever accomplished.

"He's still got a lot going in his favour," insists former US Ryder Cup captain Lanny Wadkins, who benefitted from a similar back operation.

Speaking to Golfworld, Wadkins added: "Frankly, it's amazing to me how many people almost seem like they want him to be done. Why would you want him gone?

"All he does if he comes back and plays is make our game better.

"Can you imagine if Tiger could come back and play at a really high level? Where he can win tournaments competing with these kids today? It would be some of the most exciting stuff we've ever seen."

There is no question Wadkins is correct. We might just be on the threshold of something extraordinary for the game of golf.

But before getting carried away, it must be remembered we have been here before with Woods. It has to be one step at a time for all those desperate to stoke expectations and, more especially, for the player himself.