• Woods shoots 68 to lie five behind halfway leader Charlie Hoffman • Winner of 14 majors has no issues with his back at Hero Challenge

For a Friday afternoon spell, the only danger attached to this Tiger Woods comeback was attached to fevered expectation.

His second-round performance at the Hero World Challenge had been impressive enough before Woods cracked a 265-yard approach to within 15ft of the 9th hole.

He converted for an eagle and sat alone at the summit of the leaderboard. Crowds whooped and other players took notice. Woods confirmed a front nine of only 31 shots. A social media frenzy was underway.

Tiger Woods ‘very thankful’ after successful comeback from back surgery Read more

In typifying the complex struggle Woods has endured to even get to a competitive environment at all, one step back succeeded the two forward. The 41-year-old played the inward half in one over par before signing for a 68, with Charley Hoffman’s imperious 63 meaning Woods is five adrift of the halfway lead. Jordan Spieth and Tommy Fleetwood share second at nine under.

Still, Woods declared this a “successful” round. When asked whether he still believed victory is a possibility, he offered a reply more typical of his heyday. “What do you think?”

Woods did concede he would have gladly accepted rounds of 69 and 68 before the tournament started.

Among those Woods has taken by surprise in reaching seven under inside 36 holes is his caddie, Joe LaCava. “He has definitely played better than I thought he could,” said the experienced bag man.

Woods was not unduly worried by a dropped shot at the last. It was inevitable after his drive found a horrendous lie. “I built on what I did yesterday, I cleaned it up,” he said. “I just wanted to go out there and just play, compete.

“As I told you guys earlier this week, I didn’t know what to expect because I hadn’t played, I hadn’t competed, I haven’t had a fused back before in my life.

“These are all new things. As you can see that even with the fused back, I still have some speed out there and these are all things I’ve had to learn and will continue to learn.

“This is a new body that I’m getting used to. I felt like today I could have easily gotten to double digits under par. That would have put me probably one or two back but I think I’m still in it. We’ve got two more days and I think it’s supposed to blow a little harder. If that’s the case, I think a good solid round should get me up in there.”

Henrik Stenson, who partnered Woods on Friday, cited increased green speeds as being like a major championship. Woods struggled with the pace of long putts in particular. His long game, as was the case in the first round, appeared perfectly sound. The same applied to his physical condition. “There are no issues, none,” said Woods of his back. “That’s one of the reasons I went out and played nine straight days, back home and down here as well. My body’s accustomed to playing. It’s a little different playing tournament golf but the body’s good.”

Hoffman laughed at the assertion he may become public enemy No1 by denying Woods what would be an extraordinary Albany victory. “To be completely honest, I said at the beginning of the week I hope he wins,” Hoffman said.

“Anytime he’s in contention or even playing brings a buzz to golf that we all need. We need him out here, we want him out here.”

Perhaps any wager on Hoffman in event of this particular two-man shootout would not be wise. How Woods would cherish the scene.