One of the greatest of all-time, Tiger Woods made it clear in the lead up to the first round of the Genesis Invitational on Thursday that he’s in it to win the tournament.
An 82-time PGA Tour winner, Woods is appearing in a PGA Tour event for the first time since last year’s Open Championship. In fact, this represents his first non-major appearance since the 2020 2020 ZOZO Championship.
As you already know, the 47-year-old Woods suffered life-threatening injuries in an automobile accident back in February of 2021. Since then, he’s been dealing with plantar fasciitis in his legs. Obviously, the all-time great has not been 100% for some time now.
At least initially, Woods struggled with consistency to open Round 1 of the Genesis Invitational. He birdied the opening hole before a bogey on four. After another birdie on eight, Woods put up two bogeys in a three-hole stretch. This had him at plus-one heading into the 16th.
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Tiger Woods turns back to the clock to close Round 1
That’s when we saw vintage Tiger Woods. He birdied the par-three 16 after a perfect approach on to the green. It was a thing of beauty.
Then on 17, Woods nailed a long putt for a birdie to put him at minus-one on the round. Again, it was an absolute thing of beauty.
If this weren’t enough, Tiger decided that he wanted to close out the opening round with a third consecutive birdie.
Honestly, it’s just terrific to see Woods make highlights like this again. He’s dealt with so much since a comeback for the ages at the 2019 Masters Tournament. Even before that, personal issues and injuries impacted the prodigy. But he appears to be back.
“I know some players have played as ambassadors to the game and trying to grow the game. I can’t wrap my mind around that. I’m playing to beat the other players and get a ‘W.’”
Tiger Woods said before this week’s Genesis Invitational
Golf is just so much better when Woods is doing his thing. He’s still the face of the sport more than 30 years after making his professional debut at the very same Riviera Country Club.
As for the tournament, Woods finished his round minus-two and tied for 27th. What an epic end to Thursday’s opening round for GOAT.