The former World No.1 and winner of 79 PGA Tour titles will play with Bridgestone's B330-S golf ball. Woods has been testing new equipment since August after Nike Golf surprisingly ceased production of golf clubs and balls to concentrate on apparel. He is yet to settle on his choice of clubs but was using a TaylorMade M2 driver, a TaylorMade M1 3-wood, Nike irons and wedges and a Scotty Cameron putter at the Hero World Challenge two weeks ago.

Bridgestone, one of the world's largest tyre manufacturers, started making golf balls in 1935 and, according to US-based Golf Datatech, is the No.3 golf ball brand behind Titleist and Callaway.

Woods spent 15 months recovering from multiple back surgeries before returning to competition in the Bahamas a fortnight ago. During recent months, he says, he tested all of the balls on the market before selecting the Bridgestone B330-S.

"Finding the right golf ball is extremely important," Woods said in a statement. "It's an essential part of my equipment, and the Bridgestone B330-S ball is hands-down the best for my game.

“Controlling launch and trajectory is critical, and with this ball I feel I have total control to hit all shots accurately. I'm not just here to play – I’m here to win, and the innovative breakthroughs of the Bridgestone B330-S ball can help me do that."

Bridgestone is the third ball brand he has used since turning pro in 1996. PHOTO: Christian Petersen/Getty Images.

Woods said the ball is reacting to how he plays and he noted that many of his golf friends use Bridgestone balls.

Fellow PGA Tour players Brandt Snedeker and Matt Kuchar as well as Masters winner Fred Couples and three-time major champion Nick Price are all Bridgestone Golf "ambassadors."

As part of the new equipment deal, the 14-time major champion will also be featured in digital, social, print and broadcast marketing globally for Bridgestone.

Bridgestone introduced the Tour B330-S in early 2016 after more than four years of research and development. The catalyst for distance and accuracy gains over leading competitors is the patented TOURcore. Now six percent larger than the prior model, it produces even faster speed and less spin off the driver via Bridgestone's gradational core formulation. For increased greenside control, the B330-S wears the breakthrough SlipRes cover, which increases stopping power without the usual negative effects of added driver spin.

Learn more about the Tour B330-S at www.bridgestonegolf.com/product/balls/tour-b330-s.