The legendary Tiger Woods competed in his first PGA Tour event in nearly seven months and showed he still has his place among the world’s elite at Thursday’s Genesis Invitational in California.
The “Tiger” dealt a card of 69(-2) to take 27th place for the contest.
On the greens at Riviera Country Club, where he made his tour debut in 1992, Woods impressed with a first pin birdie. The rest of the first round was more complicated for the 47-year-old athlete…at least until the 16th hole.
After posting another birdie and three bogeys, Woods made sure to end his day on a high. He took a par from each of the last three pennants. On the 17th, it was thanks to a great putt from almost 24 feet that the winner of 15 major tournaments found the bottom of the cup.
Despite this encouraging return to action, Woods will have work to do to catch up with the leaders. Americans Max Homa and Keith Mitchell both hit the ball 64(-7) times to take over the competition.
Among the representatives of the Maple Leaf, Adam Svensson (-4) is the best installed in the seventh rung. Nick Taylor (-2) is also well placed, shared with Woods in 27th, while Corey Conners (N) and Mackenzie Hughes (+1) will fight for survival on Friday.