Tiger Woods marks his return with a birdie and a hole in the opening invitational

His first appearance on the PGA Tour in 2024 was highly anticipated. In his new colors, Tiger Woods looked good physically in the first round of the Invitational. But his game, clearly a little rusty, alternated between excellent and mediocre, like a hole in his final hole.

It may have been the No. 1 golf event of 2024, at least for Americans. For France, of course there was a victory of Matthew Pavon (resting this week). But the great beginning of Tiger Woods for this new season, wearing his own brand with a new caddy and a new ball, they were highly anticipated.

It all started with a birdie, thanks to a very good chip from behind the green on the very accessible par 5 of hole number 1. Then the rest was more difficult for Tiger. Betrayed by his iron game at 2 (bogey) and then with a drive at 3 (bogey), the 15-major man, dressed smartly in white under his new Sun Day Red brand, responded with a superb birdie in a very difficult hole n°. 4.

Straight to the heart.

15-foot bounce-back birdie for @TigerWoods. pic.twitter.com/nFHIWPtw7g

– PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 15, 2024

Playing conditions were limited this Thursday morning at Pacific Palisadesbut the popular way of Riviera Country Club caused problems for many players, started by former world number 1 partner, Justin Thomasstruggling all day in the big game (+1).

Certainly far from fearing counters as immutable Patrick Cantlay (club leader at -7 heading into finals), Woods was solid throughout his game… until his final hole.

Solid next to greens for Tiger

In the past, it may have been his strategic choices, such as his attack on the green flag on the difficult hole No. 10, or the sometimes pronounced “power fade”, as at 12, that cost him a few bogeys.

For the rest, the 893rd player in the world, who had not played again in the The PGA Tour since World Hero Challenge in November 2023, he was lobbying before his last iron shot. His swing, according to the analyst NBC Frank Nobilowas ” smoother than during training games. » It was around the green where Woods made the big hits, like this “flop shot” on hole number 13 that allowed him to save par.

Flop Sauce.

A @TigerWoods Special. pic.twitter.com/cDxEkBjPsP

– PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 15, 2024

A socket from anywhere

Putting is also standing. But it is clear that it is his last iron shot that leaves people wondering. Perfect fairway on the 18th, he made a completely unexpected hole. In the end, a big third shot stuck in front of a tree trunk allowed him to reduce the damage with a bogey.

No one is safe from the dreaded shank.

Even Tiger Woods. pic.twitter.com/6qJQY1W5yU

– PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 15, 2024

My socket? I felt a pain in my back, I couldn’t move as much as I wanted. »

His +1 score still leaves him at the bottom of the leaderboard. ” My shift was good but there were also lossesin summary Tiger. I had a hard time getting up to speed on the greens which were very fast. My socket? I had a seizure in my back, I couldn’t rotate the way I wanted. It’s been a long time since something like this happened to me. »

In this Signature Event, 70 players are on the starting line, but only the top 50 (and players less than 10 shots behind the leader) will compete this weekend. We all want to have a little Tiger Woods drink, Saturday and Sunday…

©Ronald Martinez/Getty Images/AFP