Tiger Woods returns with mixed bag and a 73

Woods has spent the last 16 months rehabbing his body from back surgery and his mind from a series of on-course performances that ranged from substandard to disastrous.

Tiger Woods of the United States walks off the fourth tee after hitting his tee shot during round one of the Hero World Challenge at Albany, The Bahamas, Thursday.

Woods’ return is particularly thrilling for the younger generation of stars like Spieth and Reed, who have not had the chance to compete against Woods when he was healthy and at his best. “I’m entered in an event, I’m going to try to win this thing”.

Spieth erred again at the unsafe par-three 12th, which ranked as the toughest hole on the Albany layout on the opening day, but he atoned with another perfectly-judged chip from just off the next green. Tiger still wants to beat me.

Two-time European Tour victor Dodt came home in 31 to be sevenunder for the tournament after a 65 and hold a two-shot lead over New Zealander Ryan Fox and American Julian Suri.

TIGER Woods was upbeat after a 1-over-par 73 despite finishing with two double bogeys in his last three holes in his first competitive round for almost 16 months. At the par-3 fifth, Woods missed a 10-foot birdie bid and settled for par. He can play quickly. Like Rip Van Winkle, Woods sounded as if he had only recently awakened from a long slumber when he spoke repeatedly of the bold, futuristic world of technology that he, the child of Persimmon Woods, is learning to navigate.

“I think he has accepted the fact he will be patient”, Spieth said. Woods said he felt a bit worn out afterward, and managing his back is always going to be part of the process for him now.

“There was a lot of trepidation and times where I thought – I did think of [retirement] because it was realistic”.

“By the time I hit my tee shot on the second hole, I had already gotten into the flow of the round”, he said.

Just the hope of seeing Woods on form again has created a buzz in the wealthy Caribbean enclave. “He’s very excited, seems very confident. So let’s be patient, a little easier on myself, a little smarter, and let’s come back when things are a little more together”.

Even for Tiger Woods. “After that we were jawing pretty good”.

Aside from the ninth hole, the front nine of Tiger Woods’ return to competitive golf after a hiatus of 466 days was brilliant. “I think he’ll be good to go”, Reed said. Woods finished with par to remain at two-under par.

Stenson, however, isn’t ready to write off more magic from 898th-ranked Woods, whose 79 career PGA titles are three shy of Sam Snead’s all-time record.

“A quick start and a quick finish adds up to a good score”, said Scott, who won the Australian PGA Championship in 2013 and was runner-up the following year after a marathon playoff with Greg Chalmers.

“It’s great to have him back”.

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.

“I just need to keep playing”, Woods said. The victor is projected to get 48 points based on a strong field that has no other player ranked worse than 38th.