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On Thursday, Tiger Woods made his first PGA Tour start since pulling out of last year’s Master’s. Through the first 17 holes, he took on the form of superhero. The 18th, however, brought him crashing back down to Earth.
Woods is less than a year removed from ankle surgery, which he received shortly after that withdrawal in Augusta. Still, he’s aiming to play at least one PGA Tour event a month this season.
This weekend, he took aim at the Genesis Invitational at Riviera Country Club.
Things started swimmingly with a birdie on the opening hole.
And he’s off!
Tiger Woods’ first round of 2024 is underway. pic.twitter.com/sef8fW0p7I
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 15, 2024
Through the front nine, he was one shot under par.
Things slowed down a bit on the back nine, but he still entered his final tee box at even on the day thanks to a birdie on No. 17. Not bad given all he’s been through over the last 10 months!
On the final hole of the round, though, Woods looked like an ordinary golfer.
Tiger Woods miserably shanked his second shot.
After knocking his tee shot right down the fairway, he appeared on his way to a solid close to Day 1. Then, disaster.
No one is immune to the dreaded shank.
Not even Tiger Woods. pic.twitter.com/6qJQY1W5yU
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 15, 2024
Woods responded to the shank after his opening round.
“Oh, I definitely shanked it,” he told reporters. “My back was spasming the last couple holes… It’s been a while [since I shanked one like that].”
Tiger would get onto the green quickly thereafter, going on to bogey his final hole. He’d finish the day at 1-over par.
An impressive shot from the trees.
Tiger Woods escapes with a bogey at the last. https://t.co/yu5C1v2RtL pic.twitter.com/YHERkzNXe2
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 15, 2024
Not a bad start to the tournament.