Tiger Woods makes strong injury return

Tiger Woods has shot a 3-under 69 on the first day of the Hero World Challenge in Nassau, his first competitive outing after a nine-month injury break.

The 14-time major champion, who has had four back operations in the past three years, finished tied for eighth in the 18-strong field with Englishman Tommy Fleetwood in the lead on 66.

The 41-year-old's round could have been better were it not for a bogey on the par-5 15th hole.

"I thought I did great," he told broadcaster Sky Sports.

"I hadn't played in a while after some of the difficulties I've been through. To come out here and score like I did, that was nice.

"It was fun to get out there and actually be part of a scorecard again."

Woods had not played competitively since withdrawing from February's Dubai Desert Classic.

The world's top three players Dustin Johnson, Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas are among an elite field at the Bahamas tournament, which is organised by Woods' foundation and is an unofficial money event on the PGA Tour.