Tiger Woods makes solid start in comeback

– Tiger Woods opens up with one-over-par 73 in comeback

– The 40-year-old was four-under-par after eight holes

– Made double-bogeys on the 16th and 18th holes to fall back

Tiger Woods opened up with a one-over-par 73 in his first competitive round in almost 16 months – but had social media waxing lyrical after going four-under-par through eight holes.

The 14-time major winner made a steady start in the Bahamas, going one-under-par through five holes before consecutive birdies from the sixth to eighth holes saw him momentarily share the lead.

Naturally, excitement reached overload with fellow players, sports stars and celebrities alike delighted to see Woods back and playing well.

TV is on in the players lounge @PGAofAustralia and the big cat is back folks….. @TigerWoods on fire. So good to see. 4 under thru 8 holes.
— Ian Poulter (@IanJamesPoulter) December 1, 2016

My week has officially been made! Thanks @TigerWoods. So cool watching him compete again. # #boooom
— Tony Finau Golf (@tonyfinaugolf) December 1, 2016

Just finished up on the course now tuned in to @TigerWoods!!! #hesback
— Cheyenne Woods (@Cheyenne_Woods) December 1, 2016

He’s back #tiger
— Shane Lowry (@ShaneLowryGolf) December 1, 2016

So excited to see @TigerWoods play again! #tigerwoods #GOAT #albany
— Harry Kane (@HKane) December 1, 2016

Good to see @TigerWoods back and swinging well.
— Joseph Barton (@Joey7Barton) December 1, 2016

Wow. Tiger’s on fire. Birdie putt to go -4 after 8 & share the lead. Amazing. #HeroWorldChallenge
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) December 1, 2016

However, from the ninth hole onwards, things started to become unstuck for Tiger Woods.

The 40-year-old posted bogeys on the ninth and 11th holes to fall back to two-under-par but, after a crucial par save at the 14th and birdie at the 15th, it looked as though, at three-under-par, Woods was going to post an excellent score.

But an error with his second shot on the 16th hole and his tee shot into the water on the 18th both resulted in double-bogeys – leaving only Justin Rose lower than him in the 18-man field.

Tiger Woods, though, wasn’t too disheartened with how his round ended but did hint at a missed opportunity at not capitalising on his early efforts.

“It could’ve been something really good today,” said Tiger Woods. “I made a few mistakes and didn’t play the par-5s well in the middle of the round and consequently I got it going the wrong way.

“I felt pretty good and I’m looking to the next three days”

“All in all, I felt pretty good and I’m looking to the next three days. I’m pleased with how quickly I got into the competitive flow and felt the feel of the round. To be out for 16 months and feel that on the second hole was nice.”

How did you rate Tiger Woods’ comeback round?

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