On his return to competitive golf, Tiger Woods records a one-over-par 72
Tiger Woods made his much-anticipated return to the PGA Tour at the Genesis Invitational on Thursday. After suffering serious leg injuries in a car accident last year, the 15-time major winner has been limited to a restricted schedule. Woods’ last appearance in a PGA Tour event was in December at the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas.
Back Spasms and a Late Shank Mar Woods’ Outing
During his round at the Riviera Country Club, Woods showcased glimpses of his former brilliance, carding five birdies. However, he also struggled with six bogeys. Despite his valiant effort, Woods revealed that he experienced back spasms in the final three holes, which may have contributed to a disappointing shank on the 18th hole.
With his second shot veering dramatically to the right, Woods found himself in the trees, a mere 71 yards away from the fairway. This left him with a challenging 109-yard approach shot to the green. Though he managed to find the green with his third swing, Woods had to settle for a closing bogey.
Woods Looks to Regain Form in a Competitive Field
Woods finished his first round at the Genesis Invitational eight shots behind early leader Patrick Cantlay. Reflecting on his performance, Woods admitted that it had been a while since he last shanked a shot from a similar position. He also mentioned the difficulties of preparing for a return to competitive golf, emphasizing the differences in adrenaline, ball flight, and yardages compared to practicing at home.
The Genesis Invitational, organized by the Tiger Woods Foundation and classified as one of the PGA Tour’s Signature Events, boasts a strong field that includes the world’s top-ranked players. However, the event does not feature new LIV Golf recruit Jon Rahm.
Aiming for Redemption: Woods’ Pursuit of PGA Tour Success
Following ankle surgery in April 2023, Woods returned to professional golf with an 18th-place finish at the Hero World Challenge. In December, he teamed up with his son Charlie for the PNC Championship, finishing tied-fifth. Woods is now seeking his first PGA Tour win since his historic 82nd triumph at the Zozo Championship in October 2019.
This year, Woods has set the goal of participating in at least one tournament per month as he continues his journey to regain top form.
CNN’s Jack Bantock contributed to this report.
