Wednesday 30 November 2016 14:03, UK
Tiger Woods should 'find the answer to a lot of questions' when he makes his eagerly-awaited return to tournament golf this weekend, according to the Golf Channel's Tripp Isenhour.
Woods, who has been out of action for 16 months following two operations on his back, will tee it up at the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas, live on Sky Sports from 6.30pm on Thursday.
The 40-year-old, who is the host of the 18-player tournament this weekend, is without a tournament victory since the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in 2013.
And former pro golfer Isenhour believes the only way Woods can test himself is to mix it again with the cream of the sport, including Justin Rose, Jordan Spieth and Bubba Watson.
Speaking to Sky Sports News HQ from Orlando, Florida, Isenhour said: "It makes sense that he comes back in this event. There's a lot of questions to answer for Tiger Woods and his golf game.
"He has to take an overall look at his game and the only way to do it is to get into competition. He wanted to play earlier this year but didn't feel he was ready.
"The health issues are always a concern with Tiger Woods but hopefully this is the last back surgery we see him go through.But one thing's for sure, he'll be the most talked about 878th ranked player in the world."
Woods has already declared himself 'raring to go' and Isenhour admits he would not be surprised to see the former world No 1 put on a fine showing this week.
"The thing is this is a no-cut event," he said. "He is going to play all 72 holes and that is good. He needs the competition.
"But I think we have to lower expectations. It has been a long time and I know Tiger is going to have high expectations but the media needs to lower them and let him just start to get back and get his feet into competitive golf again.
"It is a completely different world to playing with your friends or playing at home than playing in a tournament writing the score down and hitting the shots that count. It's like walking a tightrope. Its very difficult to do and extremely different to what he has been doing for the last 16 months
"But you never lose your talent and Tiger Woods is one of the most talented players ever to play the game."
Woods, a 14-time major winner, will be testing new equipment this week but Isenhour believes this will have little impact on his return to the course.
"He's probably had a lot of time with the equipment and should be used to that," he added. "The golf ball will be the biggest thing for him.
"He's supposed to be putting a Bridgestone ball into play which is a little different to the Nike ball he has been playing but not drastically different.
"Usually when you change balls that's the biggest thing you have to go through because it spins differently, it flights differently and it doesn't move as much as some of the other balls .
"But again, it will be wonderful to see him play 72 holes, get through it, and I wouldn't be surprised if we saw a couple of low rounds later in the week from Tiger Woods as he progresses into this tournament.
"He is the needle. We say Tiger Woods moved the needle but he is the needle. The game is much better with him in it and the PGA Tour is healthier with him back."
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