Tiger starts his latest comeback in style
Tiger Woods finds his rhythm, shoots solid 69 in return to competitive golf
NASSAU, Bahamas — On the fourth hole of his latest comeback, the Tiger Woods of old showed up when he chunked a short chip shot.
Moments later, the Tiger of old showed up again when he buried a 20-footer for par on the same hole and uncorked the first fist pump of his comeback.
While Woods called his ballyhooed return “up and down,” he produced far more roars than groans in Thursday’s first round of the Hero World Challenge at Albany Golf Course. In his first start in 10 months and just his fourth in two years, the former world No. 1 didn’t have any issues with his surgically repaired back and was a physical, powerful brute with driver in hand — regularly exceeding 320 yards off the tee.
While there were issues — especially with his chipping — Woods shot a 3-under-par 69 on the windswept layout and stood just three shots off the lead of pace-setting Tommy Fleetwood. Whatever rust there was left early and Woods was swinging freely and aggressively throughout the round.
