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Tiger Woods remains committed to swing changes at Greenbrier

Good news, Tiger Woods fans! Your boy shot 32 in a nine-hole round on Wednesday.

Unfortunately, it was a practice round ahead of this week's The Greenbrier Classic, and it doesn't count. However, Woods did hit every fairway en route to a solid outing ahead of his first start since the 80-76 disaster at the U.S. Open two weeks ago.

Woods, who went to the Bahamas after a short two-round run at Chambers Bay, didn't touch the clubs much after the Open, but hopes to show some signs of progress on the host Old White TPC course.

"I made a little bit of progress since last time I played. Obviously (that's) not really saying much, but I'm looking forward to tomorrow," Woods said Wednesday.

The 39-year-old is now ranked No. 220 in the world and, through six starts this season, has more rounds in the 80s than 60s (a 3-2 count). Before the Open debacle, he was T-69 at The Players and dead last among the weekend field at the Memorial, following a career-worst 85 in the third round.

By most accounts, Woods has looked good in Florida at his home club, Medalist, as well in pro-am outings and on the range. The problem is carrying over what he's putting into practice with swing consultant Chris Como when the strokes really count. Nonetheless, Woods is steadfast that the changes will eventually manifest themselves consistently in real-life scoring.

"I know what I am doing out here on the golf course," Woods said. "I know what it feels like. I know where my game is and what progress I have or haven't made. That's what I'm concerned about. ... We know what's going on and what the baseline has been shifted and where things are currently and where we need to get to in the future."

The natural, unanswered follow-up then is, How far into the future is Woods looking before he is able to not win, but simply compete, again?


Ryan Ballengee is a Yahoo Sports contributor. Find him on Facebook and Twitter.