TIGER WOODS says he is REDDY to be a contender again after completing his first tournament in a year.
Two late missed putts spoiled Woods otherwise impressive performance back wearing his last day red shirt in the final round at the Hero World Challenge.
The American, who has not played four competitive rounds in a week since last December, carded six birdies and an eagle in a four-under-par 68 to finish tied ninth.
He ended up ten shots behind winner Rickie Fowler. But Woods was still beaming after a bright end to his horror year, which saw him have a fourth operation on his back.
The 41-year-old said: I feel good and I want to give it the whole nine yards next year.
Im excited. I played as well as I have been at home, I had the adrenaline going and Im very pleased.
Well have to figure out where Ill start and how much because I want to build my schedule for the Major championships.
The plan is not to play too much but get me prepared for them.
Woods had the crowds at the Albany Resort whooping when he drove the par-four seventh and sank a curling 25-footer. He showed his back was in good working order as he crunched a two iron 277 yards to set up another birdie.
He also cast aside his third-round driving demons by matching playing partner Justin Thomas for length and accuracy.
The 14-time Major winner added: A year ago I was struggling to get off a chair. The world seemed a very small place.
Trying to do the day-to-day stuff was very difficult. But since the back fusion surgery I can do so much more and its really nice.
Although Woods has been the centre of attention this week, he was upstaged by Fowler.
His fellow American birdied eight of the first nine holes to obliterate overnight leader Charley Hoffmans seven-stroke advantage.
Fowlers hot streak cooled off but he still added three more birdies to record a blemish-free round of 61 and 18-under total to win by four shots.
Englands Tommy Fleetwood, who will marry fiancee Clare on a Bahamian beach tomorrow, won the battle of the Brits as he took a share of third on 12 under, a shot clear of Justin Rose.
Tiger Woods returns to Golf at Hero World Challenge in The Bahamas