Tiger Woods is back on the prowl says Rory McIlroy

While the 14-time winner is trading comeback stories with good friend Serena Williams, who has 23 grand slam singles titles, after their Open and Wimbledon near misses, his contemporaries will be trying to work out what this means for them.

Woods was so close to a fairytale return to the Open at Carnoustie after a three-year absence, eventually coming up three short of eventual winner Francesco Molinari, having led around the turn in his final round.

But the performance at least showed he can contend again after four back operations which threatened to end his career.

“It’s not (the) Tiger that, you know, Phil (Mickelson) and Ernie (Els) and those guys had to deal with. It’s a different version,” said world number eight McIlroy, whose charge came too late as he finished in a share of second two shots back.

“But he’s right there. He’s getting himself in the mix. He looked good in (Washington) DC a couple weeks back (where he tied fourth at the Quicken Loans National). He’s looked good here.

“He does things that maybe he didn’t do 10, 15 years ago, but it’s still great to have him back. It’s still great for golf.

“He’s healthy. I wouldn’t say we’re worried about him, but he’s one of those guys that’s always in with a shot.”

Woods is expecting to hear from Williams, who lost the Wimbledon final to Angelique Kerber earlier this month, where they will discuss how their respective comebacks are going.

“Serena and I are good friends. I’m sure she’ll probably call me and talk to me about it because you’ve got to put things in perspective,” said the American.

“She just had a baby and lost the Wimbledon finals so just keep it in perspective, and the same thing with me.

“I know that it’s going to sting for a little bit here, but given where I was to where I’m at now, I’m blessed.

“It was good to be in the mix on the last day of a major and I hope that I can be there again in the years to come. I enjoyed that.”