Smiling Woods ties for ninth in Bahamas

featured eight of the world’s top 10.

“I showed some good signs,” Woods told NBC Sports after finishing the four days at eightunder 280.

“I hit some really good shots out there [and am ready for] a bright future ... and no pain.”

The latter was especially important to the 41-year-old who once dominated the sport.

“I’ve had some tough times through the years with my back and then finally to come out on the good side and [be] able to get back out there and play. It’s pretty cool,” he said.

He also spoke about the future.

“When I was struggling with my back, the world seemed very small. Day to day stuff was very difficult for me to do,” Woods said.

“Now I am able to sit back and enjoy it a little bit more ... It’s been really nice.”

He and his team will now sit positively down to determine how best to build his 2018 schedule for major championships.

“Play enough, but not play too much,” Woods said.

“I don’t know what golf courses I will be playing, what’s the best way to go about it . ... We’ll figure it out.”

He definitely had the Albany course figured over the first nine holes on Sunday.

The day after a bogey-filled front nine, Woods showed flashes of his old self with three birdies and an eagle to make the turn at five-under 31.

Reality returned at 10 where he had a double-bogey at the par-four hole. But the 79 times PGA Tour winner struck back with birdies at 11, 14 and 15 before bogeys at 17 and 18.