Tiger sees a bright future after painless comeback

RICKIE Fowler produced a course record round of 61 to surge to victory in the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas as Tiger Woods’ challenge evaporated.

But Woods was left believing he has a bright future in the game after finishing in a tie for ninth in his first tournament in 10 months.

Fowler, who had gone into the final day on seven under par, birdied the first seven holes and then the ninth as he went out in 28, and carded three more on the back nine to finish 18 under.

Woods had earlier reached the turn in 31, including an eagle two at the seventh, as he shot a final round 68 to bounce back from Saturday’s three-over-par 75.

However, a double bogey at the 10th and dropped shots at the final two holes left him on eight under for the tournament on his comeback from injury.

But it was overnight leader Charley Hoffman who suffered the most as his five-shot advantage and his hopes of victory disappeared with a round of 72.

Hoffman finished with nine successive pars to claim second place four shots behind Fowlmade er and two ahead of England’s Tommy Fleetwood and Jordan Spieth, who shot 67 and 69 respectively.

Justin Rose ended his tournament with a two-under-par 70 to claim a share of fifth place along with Hideki Matsuyama and Patrick Reed on 11 under.

Woods and compatriot Matt Kuchar tied in ninth place behind Italy’s Francesco Molinari.

The event featured only 18 players and the Bahamas dollar-fest is as close as there is to an exhibition event on the PGA Tour schedule.

But Woods’ display in reaching eight-under to beat the likes of world No 1 Dustin Johnson was so much more than an end-ofseason hit-and-giggle.

Only a few months ago, the 41-year-old wondered whether he would ever play again and even though his spinal-fusion operation was a huge success, leaving him pain-free for the first time in years, Woods set out at Albany last Thursday full of trepidation.

“How was my scoring going to be? How was my feel? How am I going to get used to the adrenaline in my system for the first time in a while?” Woods said.

“I was still scratchy with my irons; I drove it pretty good, Smiles better: Tiger Woods and Hero World Challenge tournament winner Rickie Fowler at finish in Albany, Bahamas last night

some good putts. Overall, I’m very pleased. I showed some good signs; I hit some really good shots out there. A bright future.”

His closing 68 – after the disappointing 75 on Saturday – summed up his week.

Woods went out in a five-under-par 31, but then suffered a double-bogey on the 10th to extinguish any lingering hope of victory.

Birdies on the 11th, 14th and 15th gave him the chance of a top-five placing, before bogeys on the last two took away some

of the tinsel from the round.

However, that was not about to mar his return. Inevitably, Woods was rusty, but he proved that he has the flexibility and ability to keep up with the world’s best on the distance charts and, indeed, on the scoreboard.

Now, the speculation will start as to where the game will see him next. Torrey Pines is probably favourite for the Farmers Insurance Open at the end of next month, although, as ever, Woods is being guarded. Sponsors will be desperate for his presence.

“We’re going to sit down, try to figure out the best way to build my schedule for the Majors,” Woods said. “Play enough, but don’t play too much.”

Fleetwood’s effort capped a memorable year for the Englishman, who won the European Tour’s order of merit.

He will remain in the Bahamas to marry his fiancée, Clare, tomorrow.

Justin Rose ended his tournament with a two-under-par 70 to claim a share of fifth place along with Hideki Matsuyama and Patrick Reed on 11-under.