Tiger Woods Started Strong at the Hero World Challenge, but Struggled on the Back Nine

Tiger Woods got off to a solid start at the Hero World Challenge. It’s safe to assume that no one thought he would come out firing on all cylinders after a 15 month layoff, but he proved us all wrong.

Woods carded a 33 on the front nine that included four birdies and a bogey.

Woods appeared to be feeling great on the front nine and on the par-3 eighth hole he told his ball to stick at a yard from the pin and it listened.

Tiger’s back nine was more along the lines of what most expected to see as he struggled off the tee and with the putter but appeared to hit his irons quite well.

Afterwards, Woods said he felt pretty good and was surprised at how quickly he felt he got into a rhythm, but obviously wasn’t extremely pleased with his back nine.

As I’ve said all along, give it time. Tiger showed some good stuff on the front nine and some rusty stuff on the back nine.

Woods finished his first round back at one-over; the leader, J.B. Holmes is in the clubhouse at eight-under.