Tiger starts fast and ends strong with 71
DUBLIN, Ohio – The sun was shining, the temps were up and the birds were singing.
And Tiger Woods was back playing on the PGA Tour.
Aside from the howling winds, all was good in the golf world in Thursday’s first round of the Memorial at Muirfield Village Golf Club as Woods looked nothing like the player who hasn’t played since mid-February. Instead, he looked to be in midseason form, especially from the get-go as he birdied the first from 10 feet and the third from a foot. There were no roars – spectators are not allowed – but that was the only thing out of the ordinary.
After what he called an ideal start playing alongside world No. 1 Rory McIlroy and No. 6 Brooks Koepka, Woods grinded his way around Jack Nicklaus’ revered track, digging deep at times to overcome the gnarly rough, the firm, fast greens running 14 on the Stimpmeter, and the winds whipping in the 2025 mph range.
Woods, seeking a record 83rd PGA Tour title and his sixth win in the Memorial, added a birdie from a foot on the 15th and from 14 feet on the 18th to offset three bogeys and signed for a suitable 1under-par 71. He trails leader Tony Finau by five on a day when only seven players broke 70.
“I would like to have started with easier conditions,” Woods said with a smile. “Wind pumping and swirling all over the place. It was hot, the ball was running, it’s getting down there. When I watched last week it wasn’t doing that, and certainly the practice round it wasn’t doing that. But the golf course has changed. It’s gotten faster, and it’s only going to continue to get faster.
“It felt good. I was a little bit rusty but felt like overall it was a good start.”
Wood last played on the PGA Tour when he finished last in the Genesis Invitational at Riviera Golf Club north of Los Angles on Feb. 16. But he’s quickly acclimated himself to these surroundings, playing practice rounds with Justin Thomas on Tuesday and Bryson DeChambeau on Wednesday. And he fell right into place in the first round.
“I think he’s always had a wonderful cadence with his routine. He does the same thing every single time,” said McIlroy, who shot 70. “I’ve always enjoyed playing with him because you can sort of feed off that. He got off to a great start. He was hitting it nicely. He sort of had most things under control today. I’ve always liked playing with him because of that rhythm that he has.”
For the most part, Woods had things going his way – except on the greens as he needed 29 during the round.
“Well, it’s been a while since I’ve played,” he said. “Got off to almost an ideal start and got a feel for the round early. I just didn’t make anything today. I had looks at birdies, but I really didn’t make much . ... Most of my putts were dying, didn’t quite have enough oomph.”