Marc Leishman says there's no reason why Tiger Woods can't reclaim his former glory after the 14-time major champion announced his first official US PGA Tour event will take place in late January.
After a respectable return at the 18-man Hero World Challenge in December, Woods will make his highly-anticipated 2018 debut at Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines course in San Diego.
The 42-year-old has eight wins at Torrey Pines, including the 2008 US Open - the last major trophy he lifted.
Woods, who endured a near 10-month layoff in 2017 during which he had spinal fusion surgery, will also play the February 15-18 Genesis Open at Riviera, which is run by the Tiger Woods Foundation.
His Californian schedule is similar to his ill-fated injury comeback last year, when he missed the 36-hole cut for the first time at Torrey Pines, flew to Dubai and withdrew after opening with a 77 because of back spasms.
But after watching Woods tie for ninth in the Bahams last month, where he beat big guns including world No.1 Dustin Johnson and Justin Thomas, in-form Australian Leishman wouldn't be surprised to see him return to the winner's circle.
"There's no reason why not," said Leishman.
"I think if he comes back and does what he can do (and) plays the way he can there's no reason why he's not going to win again
"It wouldn't surprise me if he went back to his old self. The way he's swinging it in the Bahamas, I only saw in on TV, but looked like he was hitting it a long way and swinging free and it looked good to me."
Leishman, who won twice in the US last year, said his peers were eagerly anticipating Woods' return despite knowing what the 79-time PGA Tour winner is capable of doing.
"Any time Tiger is playing creates a big buzz around the tournament. I don't think there'd be one golfer on Tour who's not excited about having him come back.
"I hope he stays healthy and plays well this year, because you want to test yourself against the best players in the world and he's certianly one of the best of all time."
Riviera is where Woods played his first PGA Tour event as a 16-year-old amateur. He last played there in 2006, though it now is back in play because the Tiger Woods Foundation runs the tournament.
"I'm very excited to be back at Riviera," Woods, 42, said in a statement on his website on Thursday.
"I haven't played at Riviera in a tournament in a very long time.
"To be able to play in an event that I used to come to as an amateur, as a junior and now as the tournament host, that is on one of the most historic sites in all of golf, it's a dream come true."
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