Mixed round for Tiger Woods on Hero comeback

Reigning US Open champion Dustin Johnson of the United States was third on 66 with British Open victor Henrik Stenson of Sweden, South Africa’s Louis Oosthuizen and American Matt Kuchar on 67.

He subsequently missed the the fairway, but soon settled and collected his first birdie at the par-five third after setting up the opportunity with a superb chip on to the green. Holmes finished with an 8-under 64 in Thursday’s first day of action in Nassau, Bahamas. At that point, he was tied for the lead at four under. I’m not positive about this, as I can only easily find Thursday’s TV times, but I’m fairly certain this will be it.

So, with re-pairing after every round in this boutique event, Woods and Rose – both of whom are members of Albany, own houses on property and play the course often – will be paired in the first group Friday morning.

August 4, 2011 – After withdrawing after nine holes at The Players Championship with leg injuries, Woods returned almost three months later at the Bridgestone Invitational, which he had won seven times.

Yang rallied from two behind to beat Woods in the 2009 PGA Championship, the only time Woods lost a major when leading going into the final round.

“But overall, he’s really close, and that’s good to see. I got off to a nice solid start and then made a few mistakes there”.

“I hit a really good drive and then I hammered a 3-wood and got it on the green”, Holmes said. “I think he has a good opportunity to get a score under his belt and from there you never know”.

He was in so much pain previous year there were times he wondered he had played his last tournament. Now he’s back at it, at the age of 40. “There was plenty of good stuff, plenty to build on, ” said Woods’ caddie, Joe LaCava. He emerged from virtual seclusion earlier this fall when he served as a vice-captain for the United States’ Ryder Cup team, but also pushed his projected return date back twice, to this weekend.

The inability – or unwillingness – for Woods to say definitively when he would return to competition has only caused many to seriously wonder is Tiger really committed to doing what’s needed for him to show clear signs he can be competitive at the highest of levels. His driver was a weapon, his chipping was savior and his iron play was in control.

Indeed, Bubba Watson won last year’s event in its first year at Albany in 25-under.

“I’ll take 5-under four times”.

Woods said he felt a bit worn out afterwards and that managing his back was going to be an ongoing part of his routines. He returned at the Hero World Challenge at Isleworth, where he played more rounds than any other course. Tried to hit one really hard and made a mistake there, put it in another bush on my layup. He tied for 10th place.

“Not being able to get out of bed, not being able to move, how could I expect to come out here and swing a golf club at 120 miles an hour and be ballistic when I can’t even get out of bed?” Woods told to Golf Channel.