Tiger Woods returns with more curiosity than expectations

Tiger Woods watches his tee shot on the fifth hole of the north course during the Pro-Am event of the Farmers Insurance Open golf tournament Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2017, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull) (The Associated Press)

Tiger Woods reacts to the crowd on the third hole of the north course during the Pro-Am event of the Farmers Insurance Open golf tournament Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2017, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull) (The Associated Press)

Tiger Woods holds his TaylorMade driver as he watches his tee shot on the fifth hole of the north course during the Pro-Am event of the Farmers Insurance Open golf tournament Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2017, in San Diego. Tiger Woods has added another equipment endorsement deal by signing with TaylorMade on Wednesday to play everything except the golf ball and the putter. Woods was open to shop around when Nike decided last year to get out of the hard equipment business. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull) (The Associated Press)

With the Pacific Ocean as a backdrop, Tiger Woods drew back his driver and sent it soaring across the blue sky Wednesday at Torrey Pines.

Watching from 50 yards away was Jay Monahan, the new commissioner of the PGA Tour.

"That's a nice sight, isn't it?" Monahan said.

He was nodding toward Woods, not the sun shining down on the coastline.

Woods makes his ninth return to the PGA Tour following a lengthy layoff, and the curiosity matches the excitement at the Farmers Insurance Open. Woods is feeling healthy enough to embark on a schedule of four tournaments in five weeks, not knowing how his game will stack up against Jason Day, Dustin Johnson or the rest of golf's best players.