Phil Mikelson believes that Tiger Woods is slowly returning to form after missing out on claiming the Australian Open.

The former world number one, who has not won a title in almost two years, was edged out by Greg Chalmers in Australia by two strokes despite leading after the second round.

"I've played with him a couple of times throughout the year, watched him hit it and you can tell that his swing speed has come back," ESPN quotes Mikelson as saying.

"So I don't know when it will all click and he'll be back to his normal self but I feel like it's inevitable that he will get back there because he seems to keep getting better and better."

The American pro is now back in the world's top 50 rankings.