Woods shoots 2-under-par 68 in first PGA Tour round in 12 weeks
From the rough on the back nine at Firestone Country Club, Tiger Woods took one of his signature whacks, contorting his finish to produce a fade. He pulled the shot off Tiger-like flair, freeing himself from trouble.
For an instant it felt like the Tiger Woods of old. No one swings as hard when encountering trouble. It was encouraging to see Woods had no hesitation to grip it and rip it, pivoting on his bum left leg and his new Nike golf shoes, then bouncing down the fairway without a limp.
Is Tiger back?
It’s way too early to tell. But Thursday in the WBC-Bridgestone Invitational, Woods’ 2-under-par 68 was about as positive as it can get for a man who – as Golf Channel analyst John Feinstein cleverly pointed out on Thursday morning – “hasn’t made a birdie on the tour since the Masters.”
Woods’ swing showed some rust. He hit just five fairways and 12 greens. But he averaged 315 yards per drive, fifth best in the field, and flashed a stellar short game, taking just 27 putts. He got up and in from off the green, saving several pars and making just one bogey.
“I was hittiing it so flush, the ball was just going,” Woods said afterward.
Woods is in fine company at 2-under. Phil Mickelson, Luke Donald, Rickie Fowler, and Sergio Garcia are there with him.
The same can’t be said of Woods’ playing partner, British Open champion Darren Clarke, who shot 77 (and that with an eagle 2 at the par-4 eighth hole). Clarke’s score was what some might have expected of Woods after 12 weeks off.
But Thursday was a reminder of the Tiger Woods of the past, and a tantalizing hint of what he might be able to achieve in the near future.
Could something special be in the works next week at Atlanta Athletic Club?
