Tiger Woods made his first start on the PGA Tour on Thursday after withdrawing from the Masters last year. He transformed into a superhero for the first 17 holes. But then the eighteenth brought him back to Earth.
Less than a year has passed since Woods had ankle surgery, which came about soon after that Augusta withdrawal. Nevertheless, this season, he wants to participate in at least one PGA Tour tournament per month.
He made his move in the Genesis Invitational at Riviera Country Club this past weekend.
Taking the first hole in two with a birdie made things go really well.
He was one shot short of par through nine holes.
Though things slowed down a little on the back nine, a birdie on No. 17 allowed him to reach his final tee box at even for the day. Considering what he has been through in the past 10 months, not bad!
But on the last hole of the round, Woods appeared to be a regular player.
Tiger Woods botched his second shot of the round.
He looked to be headed for a strong finish to Day 1 after launching his tee shot well down the fairway. Then catastrophe struck.
Woods answered the shank with his first blow.
“Well, I shanked it,” he said to the press. “I was having back spasms for the last few holes. I haven’t shanked one like that in a long time.