Five years after his last win on the PGA Tour, Tiger Woods is categorically back.
OK, he didn't claim victory at the Valspar Championship having been tied for the lead shortly after the commencement of the final round, but the 14-time majors winner showed enough to suggest that he is surely on an upward curve.
Playing with the kind of overwhelming scrutiny that most golfers - nay, sportspeople generally - could possible imagine, Woods overcame a slow middle-period to his round to finish strongly.
A few shots off the lead coming into the last number of holes, this 44-foot putt demonstrated something of the form that he is beginning to show again.
The reaction of the crowd further demonstrates just how much the golfing world wants him to do it.
TIGER WOODS!!!!!
1. Shot. Back. #QuickHits pic.twitter.com/EzmFJvu0sN— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) March 11, 2018
In the end, Woods was faced with a daunting putt to drive the eventual winner Paul Casey to a playoff.
Looking quite disappointed with himself for not making what would have been a monumental finish bodes well for the expectations he is putting himself under.
What a ride.
Tiger Woods finishes 1 short of forcing a playoff.#QuickHits pic.twitter.com/70hs4VSaBE— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) March 11, 2018
As always, there was a huge response to Woods' ever-increasing return to form, and, with the year's first major right around the corner, Woods is coming into it looking a little bit more likelier to claim that elusive 15th.
Delighted for Paul Casey but wasn’t it brilliant having @TigerWoods back in contention on Sunday. Really enjoyed that ⛳️
— Darren Fletcher (@DFletcherSport) March 11, 2018
Great to see @TigerWoods back playing on a Sunday wearing red and in the hunt #class
— Ken Doherty Official (@kendoherty1997) March 11, 2018
Tiger woods , I love you
— Niall Horan (@NiallOfficial) March 11, 2018
Phil Mickelson's win drought lasted 1,687 days.
Sunday at Bay Hill will be 1,687 days since Tiger Woods' last victory.— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGolf) March 11, 2018
vintage @TigerWoods 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
— Jack Butland (@JackButland_One) March 11, 2018
Second place, one shot back.
Final round 70 without his A game.#Tiger Woods is back.— Mike Greenberg (@Espngreeny) March 11, 2018
Forget about this approach. That Tiger Woods is standing in the 72nd fairway, with a chance to make a playoff at an official PGA Tour event, is nothing short of astonishing
— Joel Beall (@JoelMBeall) March 11, 2018
@TigerWoods you are ridiculous 🔥🔥🔥 that putt on 17 wow!
— Derek Carr (@derekcarrqb) March 11, 2018
Are you kidding me @TigerWoods ?!?
— Justin Verlander (@JustinVerlander) March 11, 2018
Tiger Woods. The greatest sports person on the planet. 🐅🐅🐅
— Hugh Cahill (@hughcahill7) March 11, 2018
Pumped for golf today.... @TigerWoods 1 shot back and in the Sunday red!
— Michael Phelps (@MichaelPhelps) March 11, 2018
