Genesis Invitational: Tiger Woods returned to competitive play at the Genesis Invitational with a two-under 69, birdying his final three holes after a seven-month absence.
For the first time since the Open Championship at St. Andrews in July of last year, Woods, 47, is competing in a professional event.
In California, the 15-time major winner, who also birdied his opening and eighth holes, is tied for 27th place, five shots back of the lead shared by fellow Americans Max Homa and Kevin Mitchell. World No. 3 Jon Rahm is one shot back in third place.
Rory McIlroy, Woods’ playing partner, is tied for seventh after shooting a four-under 67, and Justin Thomas, the third player in that group, is tied for fourteenth on three under.
Woods, who finished with three bogeys and five birdies, said afterwards: “I was able to retaliate and start it. It was a beautiful way to go.”
If McIlroy wins at Riviera, Scottie Scheffler will no longer be the world’s number-one golfer, although a third-place result would be enough for McIlroy unless Rahm wins the competition or takes an outright second-place finish or Scheffler finishes in the top 25.
Woods maintains his conviction following a strong comeback
Two days after the 2021 competition, Woods, the tournament’s host, suffered severe injuries to his right leg and foot in a single-car accident in Los Angeles. At winning the Zozo Championship in October 2019, he has played little, primarily participating in majors and exhibition events. This week marks his first official PGA Tour start outside of majors since that time.
When he plays, he always intends to win, he told reporters earlier in the week, and he reiterated that belief following his round.
“I’ll be able to do this for a while, but for now I feel like I can, with the appropriate golf course,” he said.
When he could “simulate” nerves while working out at home, he claimed that nothing could compare to being present at a PGA Tour tournament and continually hearing his name yelled.
When it’s game time, he remarked, “There’s nothing like the feeling of the butterflies and trying to settle all that stuff down.” “The ball travels farther when one is on adrenaline. Despite the fact that it is cold outside, it was travelling further than we had anticipated. All of that has to be adjusted again.”
After 18 holes, Woods reported that his right ankle hurt. A key element of his performance will depend on how well his endurance and pain tolerance holds up as the week progresses once more.
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