Woods fires improved second-round 70 but remains at last position in Florida

Former world number one golfer Tiger Woods, who is making his competitive comeback after four months out injured, fired away an improved second-round 70 but remains at the last position in the Hero World Challenge in Florida.

The 38-year-old American scored a disappointing 77 in his opening round on Thursday, but he performed better on Friday, with only a double-bogey on the last hole preventing him dipping into the 60s.

Swede Henrik Stenson's 68 gave him the lead on nine-under, a shot ahead of Patrick Reed and England's Justin Rose, The BBC reported.

Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell followed up his opening round of 68 with a 73 to leave him on three-under and three places above Woods.

The American 14-time major winner, who has had back surgery, was playing his first competitive tournament since missing the cut at the USPGA Championship in August , opened with a birdie but gave that shot back on eight before an eagle on the par-five 13th brought his round to life.

This was followed by a birdie on 14 and another on 16 which left Woods four under for the day but a rain delay of around 90 minutes after he came off 17 halted his momentum and a flat finish on the last meant he was three-over for the tournament, which he annually hosts.

Woods said that it wasn't a whole lot different than the opening round, adding that he maybe hit two less worse shots than he did on Thursday, but claimed that it really wasn't that much different.

Woods also said that sometimes it takes him a few holes, sometimes it can only take him a shot to feel like he is back into tournament mode.