At first glance, Tiger shows flashes

Tiger Woods has provided a rare sight this week, taking hundreds of pain-free swings as he preps for his long-awaited return at the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas. The sight of Woods, period — the 14-time major winner-turned-87 9th-ranked player in the world — has become almost as unusual.

“I’m not dead,” Woods said between practice shots Sunday. “I’m ready to go.”

Having gone nearly 15 months since playing in his most recent tournament, Woods hit balls for more than two hours, alongside his caddie, Joey LaCava, and said he is healthy after struggling with back injuries.

Woods followed that Monday by playing nine practice holes at close to par and booming a reported 350-yard drive. According to Agence France-Presse, Woods recorded an unoff icial score of 1-over-par 37 (two bogeys, one birdie) on the back nine at Nassau’s Albany Club and came away “pleased” with his ball-striking.

Woods played in an informal group with fellow golf pro Justin Rose — and Yankees legends Derek Jeter and Tino Martinez. Among the relevant topics of conversation: how Jeter worked his way back from a devastating late-career ankle injury.

The 40-year-old Woods originally planned on returning in October, but withdrew from the Safeway Open days before it began.

Woods, who has been increasing his stamina by walking courses again and playing 18 holes on multiple occasions, said he’s f inally healthy enough to run with his kids again. His confidence seems to have returned, too, though he has the next-to-worst odds — at 28-1, tied with four others, via Bovada — in this week’s 18-man field.

“I have way more shots now, because I’ve played way more golf. I only had a handful of shots back then,” Woods said. “You just saw a session where I hit everything, and I had control of everything. I can hit all the shots now, on call.”