While most - including the man himself - don't expect much from Tiger Woods' return to golf at the PNC Championship, a source close to the 15-time Major champion is already in awe of how his game is shaping up just 10 months removed from that serious car accident.
That source is Mike Thomas, a PGA pro who has guided the career of his superstar son, Justin, so he knows good golf when he sees it. After revealing he played twice with Tiger last week, Thomas Snr gave a glowing assessment of his progress.
"Good. Yeah, good," said Thomas. "It's crazy how good he's hitting it and far he's hitting for what he's been through."
After nearly losing his right leg, it's nothing short of remarkable to hear such a statement, and it won't be long before fans can see for themselves.
The 36-hole Texas Scramble event provides arguably the perfect setting for Woods to make his latest in a long line of comebacks. He and Charlie will tee it up alongside Team Thomas - the defending champions - on Saturday in Orlando. Even in the circumstances, they'll undoubtedly be looking to improve on their seventh-place finish of last year and get one over on their playing partners.
And for those watching in America, such is the anticipation to see the game's biggest star back in action that you'll be able to watch today's pro-am live on the Golf Channel.
RELATED: PNC Championship live stream - How to watch Tiger's return
Of course, the real tests are yet to come. Since his first appearance back after a long injury lay-off, Tiger has been keen to set low expectations for himself and his hoard of fans. Now, however, talk will be rife that he could return to the upper echelons of the game and compete with the world's best.
"I mean, we all know him well enough to know that he's never going to admit to be close to being where he'd like to be," Mike Thomas added. "I mean, more importantly, where he normally would be compared to now.
"I think more importantly is his shot, that whatever he has right now is, I mean, he's still -- he's got some speed. He's got some length. Hits a lot of really, really flush shots. I mean, I was surprised."
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