Although Tiger Woods missed the cut at the Quicken Loans National at Congressional Country Club on Friday, he gave golf fans a glimmer of hope that he can return to form and contend in golf tournaments once again.

Woods posted 74-75 for a seven-over-par total over the first two rounds and missed just the 11th cut of his career by four shots.

After getting off to a shaky start on Thursday in the first round, he birdied three of his last six holes to finish at three-over-par for the day.

His second round featured a double-bogey at No. 5 and four consecutive bogeys on Nos. 11-14.

This was Woods first return to competitive golf since the WGC-Cadillac Championship at Trump Doral in March.

He underwent surgery at the end of March to repair a pinched nerve in his lower back that was restricting his play and practice. No one expected him to be able to return to professional golf in such a short period of time.

His game did show some rust after 15 weeks away from the game, but he appeared to be swinging freely and with no apparent pain.

Woods wanted to play at the Quicken Loans National to support the tournament that donates all of its proceeds to his Tiger Woods Foundation.

Woods is still the biggest draw in golf and that was on display again this week.

After he announced his intention to play at Congressional, ticket sales doubled and luxury boxes previously unsold were immediately booked.

The Open Championship will be held in two weeks at Royal Liverpool and Woods will resume his quest to add a 15th major championship to his impressive career statistics.