Tiger Woods has returned to the practice range. Woods, who underwent microdiscectomy surgery to repair a pinched nerve in his back on March 31 before making a brief return to the PGA Tour, had been limited to chipping and putting but is now hitting fuller shots, according to an Oct. 20 report by USA Today.

“The doctors said he could hit golf balls again, and he’s listening to his doctors and to his body,” Woods’ agent Mark Steinberg told USA Today. “He will keep listening to his doctors and body. … He’s feeling pretty good.”

Woods, 38, is scheduled to return to competition at the Hero World Challenge Dec. 4-7 at Isleworth Golf and Country Club in Orlando, Fla.

He said last month during a media day for the World Challenge that he had done “nothing” golf-wise since the PGA Championship, but that he was working hard in the gym.

“I want to be back where I used to be,” Woods said in September.

After winning five times in 2013, Woods made only seven PGA Tour starts last season, missing two cuts and withdrawing twice. His best finish was a tie for 25th at the WGC-Cadillac Championship. He also parted ways with former swing coach Sean Foley in August.

Woods is currently ranked 17th in the Official World Golf Ranking.