Tiger Woods (USA) returned to the field seven months after undergoing ankle surgery and while he is relatively healthy, he is not yet back to full strength.
Woods shot a 3-over-par 74 in the first round of the Hero World Challenge at the par-72 Albany Golf Course in New Providence, Bahamas, on Monday.
The Hero World Challenge is not a regular event on the U.S. Professional Golf Association (PGA) Tour, but it is an official event featuring 20 of the world’s top players. It has a $4.5 million purse and a $1 million first-place prize.
Woods, who shot a 5-under 67 and is eight shots behind Brian Harman and Tony Finau (USA), is tied for 18th in the 20-man field.
He made four birdies but added five bogeys and a double-bogey.
Hit a longest of 335 yards and an average of 313.4 yards, but his shots were largely flat.
Hit just 46.2 percent of his shots in the fairway and missed the green eight times.
Of his four birdies, only one was made by sticking it in the hole.
He faltered sharply down the stretch.
On the 15th (par-5), my tee shot went into the bushes and I tried to force it out instead of unflappable, resulting in a 5-on-2 putt for a two-stroke loss, and on the 16th (par-4), my third shot from outside the green hit a thick patch and I made bogey.
On the 17th (par-3), he dropped another shot with a 3-putt from 14 meters.
At 4-over par through three holes, Woods was unable to capitalize on a birdie opportunity on the final 18th (par-4).
“I lost focus from the middle of the round to the last,” Woods said, “I wasn’t sure about a couple shots. I struggled with trajectory and trajectory. I didn’t have the feel, the trajectory, the distance control that I normally take for granted,” he said, admitting that he’s still not quite back on track.
But on this day, Woods’ physical condition was more important than his performance.
After withdrawing from the Masters in April, Woods underwent surgery shortly thereafter to treat inflammation of the peroneal bone in his right ankle, and he has since focused on treatment and rehabilitation.
The inflammation was reportedly an aftereffect of a compound fracture he suffered in a car accident in February 2021.
“I spent months with the bones in my ankle touching, and the surgery took that away,” Woods said.
Woods, who hinted at his imminent return to the field in September when he was seen swinging a wedge followed by a full swing, has set the Hero World Challenge, an event organized by the Tiger Woods Foundation, as the stage for his return.
“The biggest challenge is walking for 72 holes,” Woods said.
Even without the after-effects of the car accident, Woods has had multiple back and leg surgeries over the years.
Plus, he turns 48 next month.
Fortunately, on this day, Woods didn’t seem to have much trouble walking the 18th hole.
His gait was a little uncomfortable, and he often swung his legs to loosen them up, but his swing and gait were fine.
However, Woods admitted that playing 72 holes was not easy.
“My legs, back, and neck are tight,” he said, “and the pace is still fast when I’m playing.”
It wasn’t like the friendly golf he’s used to playing with friends and acquaintances.
But Woods was motivated.
“I wanted to compete,” he said, “and I think I’m ready to compete. I played well today. I just didn’t do what I need to do mentally.”
Jordan Spieth (USA) shot a 4-under 68 to finish in third place, followed by world number one Scott Schauffler (USA), Colin Morikawa and Cameron Young (USA) at 3-under 69.
Viktor Hovlan (NOR), looking for his third straight victory in the event, finished the first day in a tie for 16th after a 1-over 73.
Will Zalatoris (USA), playing in his first tournament in seven months after back surgery like Woods, showed he is not yet back to his best with a 9-over-par 81. 메이저 토토사이트