BETHESDA, Md. Harold Landry Jersey . -- About two dozen photographers lined up in a row on the range Tuesday at Congressional, a reminder that golf is different when Tiger Woods is around. And that was before Woods even arrived to hit balls for 35 minutes. He was last seen wearing golf shoes on March 9, when he walked gingerly off the golf course at Doral with back pain that had been bothering him off and on since August 2012 and finally reached a point that he chose surgery over playing two majors. Woods returns at the Quicken Loans National with big hopes and realistic expectations -- and with no pain. Asked for an opening comment on where he is with his recovery, Woods smiled and said, "Im right here." "Its been an interesting road," Woods said. "This has been quite a tedious little process, but been one where I got to a point where I can play competitive golf again. And its pretty exciting." Dressed in black, with shoes the company colours of his new endorsement deal (MusclePharm), Woods turned the routine into news. After each booming tee shot, he casually walked forward a few paces, stooped to pick up his tee and to reload for the next shot. Woods, who had back surgery on March 31, said the British Open was his target all along. He was candid in saying he might not be playing the Quicken Loans National -- this is the first year for a new title sponsor -- if it did not benefit his foundation. Thats not to suggest he is coming back too early. Woods said he has been in constant contact with doctors and trainers as he slowly expanded his swing from chipping and putting to irons to wedges, all the way through the bag until he started swinging the driver a few weeks ago. He tried to add 10 yards of distance every couple of days, taking a break and getting treatment on days it didnt feel quite right. When he started putting, he would fill the holes on his practice green with sand to keep from bending over to pluck the ball out of the cup. When he felt strong enough to play, he said he would ride while standing on the back of the cart to avoid too much sitting. Woods always has said he doesnt play if he doesnt think he can win. Thats still the objective, sprinkled with some reality. It will have been 109 days without PGA Tour competition when he tees it up Thursday morning with Jordan Spieth and Jason Day. "Expectations dont change," Woods said. "Thats the ultimate goal. Its just that its going to be a little bit harder this time. I just havent had the amount of prep and reps that I would like. But Im good enough to play, and Im going to give it a go." The British Open is July 17-20 at Royal Liverpool, where Woods won in 2006 after missing the cut in a major for the first time at the U.S. Open. It also was his first major since his father died. Woods collected his 14th major two years later while playing on a shattered left leg at Torrey Pines. He hasnt won another since then, leaving him four short of the standard set by Jack Nicklaus. He cant win if he doesnt play, so this would be an important first step. "I think theres always a fascination in terms of watching Tiger play golf and the run that hes been on throughout his career and what he still has to achieve in terms of his goals," Justin Rose said. "I think golf will get really exciting if he starts winning a couple more majors and the race to 18 becomes incredibly on again. I think thats incredibly exciting for the game of golf and will draw a lot more interest in the game once again." Theres already more interest. Organizers said ticket sales were double what they normally are on a Friday before the tournament, the day Woods announced his return. This is the second time in four years that Woods has missed a three-month portion of the season because of injuries. He played only nine holes from April to August in 2011 while letting his leg injuries fully heal. The difference this time was his lifestyle. Woods said he couldnt function in the weeks leading to his microdiscectomy surgery at the end of March. "Anyone that has had any kind of nerve impingement, its not a joke," he said. "That part was relieved as soon as I got out of the surgery. That nerve impingement, that pain that I was feeling going down my leg was gone. "Ive heard numerous people talk about it, and Ive had people come up to me and say they had the same procedure and got their life back and thats basically how I felt. I was able to do things, and do things that I normally took for granted." Woods jokingly said he broke 50 when he played at home, just like he did when he was 3. "My prime is coming up," he said. He has looked like an old 38 in recent years because of injuries and surgeries, though he is learning how to gauge his training. He recalled his younger days when he would run 30 miles a week, even if he was hurt, unaware the damage he was doing to his body. "I have to now pick my spots when I can and cant push," he said. "Before, when youre young, I just pushed it all the time. But now Ive got to listen to my body, listen to my therapist and then get treatment. When I was younger, I didnt need it." Custom Titans Jerseys .com) - Real Madrid claimed its 20th consecutive win across all competitions by cruising to a 4-1 victory at Almeria on Friday. Blaine Gabbert Titans Jersey . None of them are Finlands Pekka Rinne, who stands as Canadas biggest challenge in Thursdays quarter-final round. Even while a young Finnish team has struggled with penalties, turnovers and a lack of offensive depth, Rinne has been a rock with a 1. http://www.thetitansfansclub.com/Black-Friday-Luke-Falk-Jersey/ . TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie tweeted on Monday that Hemsky will be going to market as an unrestricted free agent on July 1. HOUSTON -- Even Jason Castros game-winning hit couldnt overshadow Jose Altuves all-around performance for the Astros on Friday night. Altuve had four hits, an RBI and two steals, including one of home, in Houstons 4-3 win in 11 innings over Detroit that snapped the Tigers seven-game winning streak. Castro launched a pitch from Blaine Hardy (0-1) into the seats in right field with one out in the 11th to give Houston the victory. The Tigers tied it when Eugenio Suarez scored on an error in the eighth inning. Jake Buchanan (1-1) pitched a perfect 11th for his first major league win. Altuve had his MLB-leading 33rd multi-hit game of the season. He leads baseball with 111 hits and the AL with 32 stolen bases. "Im somewhat speechless," Houston manager Bo Porter said when asked about Altuves night. "Its impressive to have the kind of impact hes having on the baseball game each and every time he takes the field." Altuve scored a run in the first and tied it up with a RBI double in the fifth. He stole home later that inning to give Houston a 3-2 lead. "He can do it all," Castro said. "Stole home, laid down an infield single. Hes fun to watch and hes one of those guys in your lineup (where) anytime hes at the plate you know hes got a great chance of getting on and getting in scoring position on his own. Its huge to have at the top of the lineup." Altuve left before reporters were allowed in the clubhouse after the game and wasnt available for comment. First baseman Jon Singleton let a foul ball hit by Suarez drop for an error with no outs in the eighth inning. Suarez then drew a walk and reached second on a groundout by Torii Hunter for the second out. Jonathan Villars error on a ball hit by Miguel Cabrera allowed him to reach and Suarez to score to tie it at 3-3. Nick Castellanos had a solo homer to give the Tigers the lead in the fourth inning and Ian Kinsler had three hits for his sixth straight multi-hit game, a career-high. Hes second to Altuve with 32 multi-hit games this season. It was the first trip to Houston as a manager for Detroits Brad Ausmus, whose 10 seasons catching for the Astros included the franchises only World Series appearance in 2005.. Bennie Logan Titans Jersey. J.D. Martinez, who spent three seasons with the Astros before they released him in March, had two hits to snap his 14-game hitting streak a day after going 0 for 4. L.J. Hoes singled to start Houstons fifth and took second on a throwing error by Justin Verlander on a pickoff attempt. Hoes reached third on a sacrifice bunt by Villar. Then Altuve went to work. His 24th double of the season scored Hoes to tie it 2-2. George Springer singled and Altuve moved to third before Verlander tried to pickoff Springer at first with two outs. Altuve broke on the throw and stole home, sliding under the attempted tag by Alex Avila to put the Astros on top 3-2. Martinez singled to start the second inning and advanced to second on a passed ball. He scored on a single by Avila with two outs to tie it at 1-1. But Avila was thrown out trying to stretch the hit into a double to end the inning. Altuve led off the game with a single and stole second base. He advanced to third on a wild pitch with one out and scored on the same play on a throwing error by Avila to put Houston up 1-0. Astros starter Brad Peacock allowed seven hits and two runs -- one earned -- in 6 2-3 innings after missing his last start while recovering from food poisoning. Verlander allowed six hits with three runs and eight strikeouts in six innings to remain winless since May 30. He lamented allowing Altuve to steal two bases while he was on the mound. "Being able to take that base in the (first) led to a run," he said. "Being able to take the extra base on the pickoff to first was another run. Hes one of those guys you have to keep off the base paths, and that is not easily done." NOTES: Houston left-hander Dallas Keuchel has been scratched from Saturdays start because of inflammation in his throwing wrist. Brett Oberholtzer will start in his place against Max Scherzer. ... The Astros signed fourth-round draft pick RHP Daniel Mengden on Friday. ... Houston centre fielder Dexter Fowler was scratched before the game because of tightness in his back. Alex Presley was moved from left field to centre to take his place and Hoes was inserted in the lineup in left field. 01:36ET 28-06-14 Cheap Diamondbacks Jerseys Cheap Braves Jerseys Cheap Orioles Jerseys Cheap Red Sox Jerseys Cheap Cubs Jerseys Cheap White Sox Jerseys Cheap Reds Jerseys Cheap Indians Jerseys Cheap Rockies Jerseys Cheap Tigers Jerseys Cheap Astros Jerseys Cheap Royals Jerseys Cheap Angels Jerseys Cheap Dodgers Jerseys Cheap Marlins Jerseys ' ' '