Former world no.1 Tiger Woods showed encouraging signs in his much-anticipated return from injury at the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas where he flashed his vintage fist pump and showed no signs of physical discomfort.

Woods, playing competitive golf for the first time after a near 10-month layoff during which he had spinal fusion surgery, appeared pain free at the Albany course on the island of New Providence where he mixed five birdies with two bogeys for a three-under-par 69.

That left him in a four-way share of eighth place and three shots behind early leader Britain’s Tommy Fleetwood after the first round of the elite 18-man event featuring eight of the world’s top 10 players.

Woods is seeking his first tournament win since 2013, and has not won a major since 2008.

The 41 year old is ranked 1,199th in the world as he is making just his 20th worldwide start since the first of his four back surgeries in 2014.

The 18-strong invitational tournament, which benefits Woods’ charitable foundation, also includes world number one Dustin Johnson. second-ranked Jordan Spieth and world number three Justin Thomas.