Woods is full of optimism for future

TIGER Woods is optimistic of a good 2017 after a return to golf and playing alongside US president-elect Donald Trump.

The 41-year-old 14-time Major champion recently returned to competitive golf at the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas after a 15-month absence with back injuries.

Woods has played along with the last three presidents, Bill Clinton, George W Bush and Barack Obama, and now Trump ahead of his inauguration later this month.

Woods said: “What most impressed me was how far he hits the ball at 70 years old. He takes a pretty good lash.”

Woods took some confidence from his competitive return and will start his 2017 campaign at the PGA Tour’s Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines, which begins on January 26.

Next comes the European Tour’s Omega Dubai Desert Classic, which begins on February 2.

“I thought what I did at the Hero World Challenge was a positive step,” Woods added.

“I just need to keep building off that and eliminate the simple mistakes I made.

“My goal for 2017 is simple — to win. Winning takes care of itself.

“There is great reason for optimism.”

Woods will also compete at the Genesis Open at Pacific Palisades, California. The event is being run by his charity and is dear to him as it was his first PGA Tour event, aged 16, in 1992. It was also the first PGA Tour event he attended with his father, Earl, who died in 2006.

JIMMY Walker struck three birdies in the final five holes to take a twoshot lead after the opening round of the SBS Tournament of Champions in Hawaii.

The 37-year-old finished his blemish-free round in style, signing for an eight-under-par 65 thanks to six birdies and an eagle.