Tiger's Back With A Pretty Good 72, All Things Considered

That was my take for Golfweek.com given the time off, the Woods we saw last year at the Farmers and the difficulty of the South Course setup (though scores were very good). And if the eye test isn't enough to excite your sensibilities, check out some of the stats and Trackman numbers included in the story.

AP's Doug Ferguson wrote that "Woods had a few big moments that looked familiar to fans who stood as many as four-deep around the greens."

Alan Shipnuck, writing for Golf.com, calls this the first round of the rest of Tiger's life and doesn't sound very impressed.

Another longtime Woods observer, John Strege, writes for GolfDigest.com that Tiger neither dazzled nor disappointed given how long he's been away.

Say what you want, but the sight of Tiger Woods enjoying his job again will be enough for most fans, and USA Today's Steve DiMeglio notes some comments Tiger made to him while play backed up on the 4th tee.

According to GolfChannel.com's Ryan Lavner, Woods playing partner Patrick Reed came away impressed with Woods's game as he posted his own nifty 68.

Bob Harig notes several elements to the round including Tiger's surprise at the South Course scoring.

Golf Channel's round up of the first day video highlights.

And PGA Tour Entertainment's extended round one Tiger highlights:

Comments

[Hawkeye]

72 was better than expected, and 12 GIR despite missing greens with wedges from the fairway on three occasions suggests that it's likely that he will improve further. He'll probably need to break 70 today to make the cut, though.

[BDF]

A pretty decent start...not sure if even the most ardent supporter could have expected more.

[Twilight Putter]

Amazing to see all these spectators watching him through their camera phone. Put the phone down and just enjoy the experience.

[Sari]

If you're an optimist, you can find plenty of justifications for optimism. If you're a pessimist, you can find plenty of validation for that view. At least he appeared healthy.

[jjshaka]

I suspect his career post 42 will mirror most players....chances for the odd win and a whole lot of 30th place finishes.
The upside would be a Phil like situation in his 40's and even that seems optimistic.

[HBL]

I watched the last 30 or 40 minutes of the telecast. The first golf I've watched in a few months. Maybe its location, winter doldrums, or Tiger; whatever. But I did enjoy the show.

[Abu Dhabi Golfer]

A 29-way tie for 85th place.

You are what your record says you are.

And, it wasn’t like he even l left a bushel of shots out there.

This emperor isn’t wearing much more than a dental floss Speedo.

[digsouth]

He did good, nerves on the first tee, yanking it 100 foot offline, almost having a hole in one, on the back 9. Nothing to be ashamed of, all things considered. Some very poor short irons, surprisigly. I thought his comments after the round were enough to welcome him back,; he didn't kill anyone with a club toss, he didn't fall down in pain, back broken in two. *dig*

[Matt H.]

Though his swing looks a little labored to me the ball went just as far as the other players. I have a bulging disk and soreness around the spine is different than the burning in the hip and leg. I imagine he gets pretty sore but not the same type of pain as before.

He still shows his talent and it was nice to get it back to even to finish the round. I think the pressure to make the cut will make it difficult for him on Friday. A few early birdies and he probably gets around in 69.

[FC]

After 4, probably 4 strokes from the cut line.

[Sari]

Yes. All over the map today. Including some big big misses with the driver. It would be one thing if he were just missing fairways. But driving it 65 yards left at 1. Driving it into the Canyon at 4. You can’t score playing that way on any real course. I will reserve judgment until he has a few tournaments under his belt, but initial optimism of yesterday fading away.

[Sari]

Interesting to note that his short game has been really sharp; no sign of chipping or other yips. But woof on the long game.

[Pops]

Well, he made the cut on the number and did his darnedest to blow that on his 17th hole.

He's played like a 40 something guy coming off serious surgery. This (making the cut just barely) may be what we get from now on. If that's the case, he won't be around long since he won't be able to stand that level of performance. I'm with Sari that it will take maybe five events to really see what his default level of play is going to be. Any talk of winning again, at least for the next several months, is just pure nonsense.

[Benito Daza de Valdes]

It's almost if shortsightedness is a specialty in these parts.

[Moonface]

Good to see him around for the weekend, and good for him that he chose Torrey over Dubai, as he wouldn’t have stood a chance to make the cut there (-5) with the iron play and putting that he has exhibited. To segue into another debate, Torrey offering more World Ranking points than Dubai suggests that the OWGR is, if anything, PGA Tour-biased.

[muffybtrd]

What prism are you looking through with Tiger. Is it Moral. Racial, Old, Ugly, Hate Love, Rich or Poor Or is this about you. KNOW THYSEL

[OWGR Fan]

Moonface, the OWGR is biased in favor of the European Tour. Look it up.

[Carl Peterson]

ADG, do you have any updates on the Emperor's choice of swimwear?