Images of Tiger Woods’ practice complex have been making the online rounds, and real estate commentators have been breathlessly exalting all the visible amenities. Of course a luxuriously greeny — there are reports of there being “different greens set for different winds” — practice space would be the least one would expect from a champion golfer who’s also, according the meticulous number-crunchers of Forbes, the highest paid athlete in the world (fellow American Kobe Bryant is number two). With practically billions to burn, who wouldn’t go all out? In fact, the practice area consists of four greens and is part of his Florida home, a property whose estimated value is $55 million.

But what’s really captivated the audience currently salivating over the pictures of neatly trimmed Florida grass is that they promise a Tiger who’s getting back into golf-championship-winning shape. It seems Tiger has been missed by the sports spectators, though the gossip readers have been given plenty to chew on since Tiger began his various streaks of necessary withdrawals from the game.

Woods hasn’t won a golf title since the car crash and domestic scandal that unsettled Americans’ Thanksgiving-leftover dinners in the fall of 2009. Almost two years and a very public divorce later, Tiger today is over in Akron, Ohio, participating in the second round of the W.G.C. Bridgestone Invitational; the fine lawns of Firestone Country Club are providing the hole-y green.

The last time Woods made an appearance here he was still ranked number one in the world. This past May, Tiger was forced to walk away from the 9th hole of the Players Championship because of painful injuries he had previously sustained to his Achilles’ tendon and left knee. Bridgestone represents Tiger’s reemergence since that painful 9th hole.

During the current Akron swinging, Tiger is competing against his good friend Darren Clarke. Also present is Steve Williams, Wood’s former caddie; the two parted ways earlier this summer. Williams was groomsman at Tiger’s wedding to Elin Nordegren and Tiger returned the favor during Williams’ own 2005 entry into spouse-hood. Williams has not been quiet about his displeasure at the turn things took. Since being fired by Woods, he’s openly said that he feels like he’s wasted his time for the last two years. At least Elin was not also present.