Tiger Woods’ opening round was as good as most people could have expected after playing only three rounds of competitive tournament golf in two-and-a-half years.
The 14-time major champion posted a level par 72 at Torrey Pines – four shots better than his first round last year – and, while he admitted afterwards he was ‘a little rusty’, there were some glimpses of brilliance.
Here are five of Woods’ best shots during Thursday’s round:
1. 16th hole – Tee shot
This one nearly raised the roof. This was how close Woods came to a hole-in-one on his PGA Tour return. A tap-in birdie took him back to level par. He said: “It felt good, looked good, and then we were listening for some noise.”
WOW!
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 25, 2018
THAT close to a hole-in-one for @TigerWoods!#QuickHitspic.twitter.com/VfEpjdSq6A
2. 10th hole – Second shot
On the tenth hole, Woods stuck it close with this wedge shot to make his second of three birdies.
Tiger Woods with a wedge.
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 25, 2018
Now that's pretty. 🐦 #QuickHitspic.twitter.com/L4jiICOkFx
3. 12th hole – Tee shot
To think, he dropped the club afterwards. Woods averaged 314.1 yards off the tee in the opening round (ninth in the field) and this 316-yard rocket helped towards that.
316 yards.
— Skratch (@Skratch) January 25, 2018
lol pic.twitter.com/EFkufl4Q2m
4. 6th hole – Third shot
Woods only made 34ft of putts during the first round – second worst only to David Hearn – but came this close to an eagle on the sixth hole. It left him with a tap-in birdie which helped build momentum for the rest of the round.
Tiger Woods ... for eagle ... 😱#QuickHitspic.twitter.com/mxHnoejKhF
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 25, 2018
5. 6th hole – Second shot
It followed this wonderful second shot – a 234-yard 4-iron. This was easily one of Woods’ best iron shots of the day, with him critical of his performance with them post-round.
234-yard 4-iron.
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 25, 2018
Club twirl. 🐅
Walking after it. pic.twitter.com/obEAbJe6S4
What Tiger said
“It was fun to compete again. It was fun to be out there. I still feel the same excitement, the same nerves, and it was fun to feel the competitive rush again, have a scorecard in my hand and try and post a number.
“But I didn't hit anything close, didn't give myself a lot of looks and consequently didn't have a lot of chances for birdies. I've got to hit my irons better than I did today. It's hard to make a lot of birdies when you don't give yourself a lot of looks.”
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