Golfing legend Tiger Woods is set to return to the grass this month after recovering from a fourth back surgery in the space of three years.

It’s no secret that the man that was once the sport’s greatest treasure has endured a struggle over the past few years, both on the course and off of it.

Since he lost his number one world ranking in May 2014, a combination of operations and loss of form have contributed to the downfall of the “Tiger”, and many now would not put him in the same class as the likes of Dustin Johnson and Rory McIlroy.

With Woods now being 41 years of age, he is seen by many as being way past his prime.

But, as his latest return closes in, Tiger himself has been surprised at the way he has been hitting his shots, as he looks to win a first tournament since the Bridgestone Invitational in August 2013.

“One of the things I am actually surprised at since I’ve gotten the OK to start hitting my irons is I can’t believe how far I’m hitting it,” stated the 14-time Major winner.

“I’m back to hitting it my full numbers, and not really trying to do that. I didn’t realize how far I had dropped off because of the pain in my back.”

His golfing compatriots are also realising that Woods looks like he is getting back to his best.

World number seven Rickie Fowler has played in practice rounds recently with him and has been mesmerised by the lengths in which Tiger is getting on his drives.

Fowler told Golf Magazine that Woods was driving his shots “way by” his own drives, and with the 28-year-old American averaging 299 yards on his drives, it looks like we will see a reinvigorated Tiger Woods stepping onto the course at World Hero Open at the end of the month.