For a second day running Woods continued to defy the skeptics soaring into the then lead thanks to a ninth-hole eagle and also producing four birdies in a round of 68 for a seven-under par tally on the Albany course in the Bahamas.

If left the long-time former World No 1 heading into day three trailing five shots behind fellow American Charley Hoffman who posted a 63 to open-up a three-shot lead at 12-under par.

It has been four years, three months and 28 days since Woods last tasted success and that was seeing his young son, Charlie emerging from the crowd to greet his father winning the 2013 WGC – Bridgestone Invitational.

Now the former long-time World No 1 has kept himself in frame in what would be also be a remarkable sixth Hero World Challenge success and his 107thpro career title.

Woods was asked first after a second 18-holes in 10 months to describe in one word his second round.

“Successful,” said Woods. “It was successful as I went out there on the front nine and shot 31, and I improved that much better than my play yesterday.

“The only thing where I really struggled was getting the speed of the greens as I did struggle reading their speed as most of the putts I missed went past the hole but delighted to clean-up my driving.

“The other thing that is pleasing is how my body performed as I went out there again today being able to play to my full expectations so my body is good.”

Woods, however, was observed taking a pain-killer on the ninth hole and later revealing it was part of his surgeon’s instruction.

Woods saved par at both seven and eight before the highlight of his round in finding the green at the par-5 ninth hole and sensationally holing a 15-foot eagle putt to go into the lead at eight-under par.

It was his first eagle on day two of the 2015 Wyndham Championship and a last event before returning 16 months later at this event last year.

The last occasion Woods strung together any sub-70 scores was in shooting 64, 65 and also a 68 over the first three days of the 2015 Wyndham Championship.

The Wyndham was also Woods last regular PGA or any other ‘main’ Tour four-rounder.

He contested all four rounds of last year’s Hero World Challenge but breaking 70 just once.

Woods was asked by Express Sport if he could put a percentage on how much his has improved following round one and now round two.

"I don't know a percentage but it certainly has gotten better," he said.

"I feel more comfortable.  I felt more comfortabel on the first few holes. I knew what the adrenaline was going to feel like, which is nice.

"It was definitely coursing through my systems and it was a great feeling.  Yesterday, I kind of missed it."