Tiger Woods has a rough return

Tiger Woods had a mediocre outing in his first day of competitive golf, since his exit at the PGA Championship.

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Tiger Woods - Scott Halleran - Getty Images

 

Edited by Anand Datla

 

WINDERMERE, Fla. — Tiger Woods had a rough start to Thursday’s opening round of the Hero World Challenge at Isleworth Golf & Country Club, and it didn’t get much better as the day progressed. Woods hit his first tee shot out of bounds, made the turn in 41 and finished with a 5-over 77 in his much-anticipated comeback. Woods stands in last place in the 18-man field.

 

Jordan Spieth holds the lead entering Friday after an impressive 6-under 66. Zach Johnson, Rickie Fowler, Steve Stricker and Henrik Stenson are one shot back.

 

In all, Woods had four bogeys, one double bogey and one birdie. There were the occasional flashes of brilliance, highlighted by a near hole-out for eagle from the fairway on No. 12. But Woods followed that with a bogey on No. 13, a par 5.

 

Few expected Woods to be dominant in the no-cut event. He had not competed since August at the PGA Championship – where he missed the cut – and decided to take the next four months off to make sure he was fully recovered from back surgery performed in March. Woods also recently added a new swing consultant, Chris Como, and the two are continuing to work on changes to Woods’ swing.

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