Tiger Woods shocked the golfing world this week by announcing he would make a return to competitive golf.

Woods, a 14-time major winner, plans to make his return at the Hero World Challenge in Albany this month.

There have been comparisons made regarding his similar return this time last year, when Woods came back from a long injury setback to play in the Bahamas.

However, that particular return lasted just seven competitive rounds before he withdrew from the Dubai Desert Classic in February this year.

A return in 2017 seemed unlikely, especially after a recent arrest for drug and drink driving.

Woods then teased fans with a collection of practice videos as he worked on his shots, and he has since been given the green light by doctors to make a return to the course.

However, four-time major champion Els has attempted to bring Woods back down to earth in terms of Woods’ goals.

In an interview, Els stated: “You get the sense he really wants to get back to old tour life, week in and week out.

“But let’s be reasonable and hopefully he is also reasonable.

“I know he wants to come with an attitude of ‘I want to win and compete’, but I think a top 30, making a cut, getting comfortable are all good early goals in this case. You can work yourself up from there.

“The public should also look at it that way. It is certainly going to be great to see him back in the arena and just take it for that and worry about the rest down the road.

“Let it just start flowing. Let him get comfortable out there again.

“Things have changed out here and let’s see how he adapts his game to the new body.”