Tiger has buzz; Homa, Mitchell post the scores
PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif. — The scene was similar to the last time Tiger Woods played against the world’s best. Fans packed onto every balcony on every level of the Riviera clubhouse Thursday, all of them straining for a rare sight of golf ’s biggest star.
Woods had them cheering even louder at the end. He put on a show in his first competition in seven months, closing with three straight birdies and one big smile for a 2-under 69 in the Genesis Invitational, leaving him five shots behind Max Homa and Keith Mitchell.
“I was able to fight back and get it going,” Woods said. “It was a nice finish.”
His legs held up fine, though still sore. The final task was making it up those 52 steps toward the clubhouse to sign his card. The next step is a quick turnaround. Woods finished about 5 p.m. and faced a 7:24 a.m. start to the second round.
Homa played in the morning and also finished with three straight birdies for a 64. Mitchell played in the afternoon and birdied the last two holes to join him.
Jon Rahm opened with a 65 as he bids to return to No. 1 in the world. Matt Kuchar opened with a 30 on the front nine and settled for a 66, along with twotime major champion Collin Morikawa and Harris English. Rory Mcilroy was in the group another shot back.
Hardly anyone was watching them. That was to be expected with Woods playing for the first time since last summer at St. Andrews.
“I haven’t played in a tournament in long time,” Woods said. “I didn’t look up as much. I was trying to calm myself down all day, figure out what the hell I’m doing out here. … I probably should have appreciated the fans more than I did, but there was so much going on in my head.”
In today’s Sports Extra edition
The digital section, free to print and digital subscribers, features bonus stories, stats and more. In today’s edition at lvrj.com:
■ More photos from the Lady Rebels’ victory against
San Jose State on Thursday that clinched the outright Mountain West regular-season title.
■ More photos from Thursday’s Coronado-liberty and Durango-bishop Gorman Class 5A boys high school basketball playoff games.
■ The UNLV baseball team is picked to win the Mountain West, and the Rebels are focused on going to an NCAA regional after flaming out in last season’s conference tournament.
■ Angels two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani said he is not thinking about free agency ahead of what could be his final season in Anaheim.
■ NBA All-star Weekend in Salt Lake City will have an international feel.
■ Scoreboard Extra includes expanded standings for the NHL and NBA.
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