In a much-anticipated return to competitive golf, Tiger Woods took the stage at the Hero World Challenge in Albany, the Bahamas. This event marked his comeback since withdrawing from the Masters in April, and the first round displayed a challenging performance.
Woods, a 15-time major champion, navigated a tumultuous first round, securing four birdies but also grappling with five bogeys and a double bogey. Starting the initial nine holes at even-par, he reached one-under-par after the 14th hole, only to face difficulties in the final four holes, concluding with two bogeys, a double bogey, and a par.
Assessing his performance post-round, Woods confessed, “I was rusty, I didn’t have my feels.” He attributed the challenging conditions and acknowledged falling short in finishing the round as required, resulting in a three-over 75 finish and securing the 18th place in the 20-man field.
The current leaders, 2023 Open champion Brian Harman and Tony Finau, share the top spot after an impressive five-under 67 in the first round at Albany Golf Club.
Reflecting on his physical state, Woods stated, “I’m a little bit sore, that’s for sure,” emphasizing the need for preparation and recovery. Having undergone ankle surgery in April due to persistent pain during the Masters, Woods outlined his goal for next year, aiming to play in one tournament per month.
“I think the best scenario would be maybe a tournament a month,” stated Woods, highlighting a realistic approach starting with events like the Genesis Invitational in February. The week at the Hero World Challenge serves as a crucial step in the direction of achieving this goal.