Tiger Woods off to solid Masters start, now faces 23 holes on Friday
Tiger Woods demonstrated a commendable comeback during the first round of The Masters, managing to reach 1-under par through 13 holes before play was halted due to darkness at Augusta National. Despite being 48 years old, Woods climbed to T17 on the leaderboard, showcasing his resilience and skill on the course. The day’s schedule was…
Tiger Woods demonstrated a commendable comeback during the first round of The Masters, managing to reach 1-under par through 13 holes before play was halted due to darkness at Augusta National. Despite being 48 years old, Woods climbed to T17 on the leaderboard, showcasing his resilience and skill on the course. The day’s schedule was disrupted by heavy storms and rain, causing tee times to be delayed by two and a half hours, with play finally commencing at 10:30 am local time instead of the planned 8:30 am start.
Tiger Woods put on a short-game clinic to close out his Masters Thursday. #themasters pic.twitter.com/vW8ikbfKJ3
— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 12, 2024
Returning to competitive play after an eight-week hiatus due to illness, the 15-time major champion exhibited solid golf, accompanied by improved mobility compared to his previous PGA Tour appearances. Notably, Woods displayed a remarkable short game, making crucial par saves at holes 10, 11, and 12. His round commenced with a birdie on the par-4 1st, followed by a remarkable recovery on the par-5 2nd after hitting his drive against a tree, securing a par.
Despite a setback on the par-3 4th, Woods bounced back with a two-putt birdie on the par-5 8th, maintaining momentum with five consecutive pars before play was suspended. Should Woods make the cut on Friday, he will set a new record for most consecutive cuts made at The Masters, currently tied with Fred Couples and Gary Player at 23.
Reflecting on the challenging conditions, Woods described the unpredictable winds as one of the most difficult aspects of the day, affecting not only direction but also putt timing on the greens. As play paused, Woods found himself trailing the leader, Bryson DeChambeau, who carded an impressive 65, his lowest ever at Augusta. World No.1 Scottie Scheffler closely followed DeChambeau, trailing by one stroke with a flawless 66.
Woods will resume his first round at 8 am local time on Friday, aiming to build on his strong start and continue his pursuit of a sixth Masters title. For fans in the UK, this equates to 1 pm.
Tiger Woods will now play 23 holes on Friday.
