Tiger Woods confident ahead of Hero World Challenge

Bahamas: “There are nerves, sure, but I think that’s a good thing. It means I really want to be here, to be back,” Tiger Woods said ahead of the Hero World Challenge that tees off at this testing, sand-lined par-72 course on Tuesday.

Speaking exclusively to a group of Indian media, Woods said that physically he was still some way from being fully ready, but was confident that his body would hold out after a near 17-month-long absence from competitive golf.

“We’ve been working on that (stamina and fitness). I started with a few rounds of four holes, worked up to nine, and then 18. We then played four days at a stretch and its looking good.

“There’s still some way to go before I can feel fully comfortable and I’m not as filled up as I would like to be but that will take some time.”

So how does he feel if would be like being up against the new generation?

“I’m hitting the ball longer than ever before. I used to average 293 yards and John Daly back then was the first to average above 300.

“The guys now land the ball over 300 yards. So that’s one big adjustment. I can go long too but it just shows you how much things have changed since I’ve been away.

“Like I said, the important thing is that the nerves are there. And I’ve missed being a player. Missed the guys, the needling and the banter that is part of the Tour. Once you are inside the ropes you are competing, trying to beat each other’s brains out, but away from it, the camaraderie is what I am really looking forward to.”

Woods tees off in the first group in the Pro-Am on Wednesday morning, playing alongside Hero MotoCorp head honcho Pawan Munjal.