However Woods’ momentum faltered on the back nine, where two bogeys saw him drop back to finish the day at seven-under.

Woods has plenty of ground to make up over the weekend, however, with leader Charley Hoffman producing a stunning nine-under-par 63 to move to 12 under.

Woods, who is returning at the 18-man tournament after a lengthy lay-off caused by a back injury, said he had struggled with the speed of the greens throughout.

“I had a difficult time all day with the speed on the greens. They seemed to be a foot faster,” Woods told The Golf Channel, adding that he was satisfied with his fitness following back surgery in April.

“I proved that the surgery was successful and that the rehab was fantastic. I got a chance to go out there and play competitive golf again,” Woods said.

“I’m just getting back. I’ve still got a long way to go,” added Woods, who also missed the entire 2015-2016 season.

After a solid first round 69 on Thursday, Woods got off to a flying start on Friday, reeling off three birdies in the opening four holes.

His first birdie came on the first when a 96-yard approach shot landed five feet from the hole for a simple birdie putt.

On the par-five third his eagle putt from just off the green went just wide but left him with an easy birdie.

A further birdie came on the fourth, after another superb approach shot.

It got better on the par-five ninth when he made the green in two before rolling in a 15-foot eagle putt to put him into the lead at eight under.

A further birdie on the 11th put Woods at six under for the day, nine under overall but a bogey on 12 checked his progress.

Five more pars followed but on the 18th Woods’ tee-shot found the sand bordering the fairway, forcing him to hack out and leaving him with a difficult up and down to save par, which he duly failed.