Tiger Woods had performed simply 24 holes this 12 months coming into the opening spherical of the Masters and the 15-time main winner will put his battered physique to the last word check on Friday when he should play practically as many holes in a single day.
Trying to make a Masters file twenty fourth consecutive lower, Woods received his quest off to a strong if unspectacular begin on Thursday, scrapping his strategy to one-under par via 13 holes earlier than play was halted because of darkness.
The 48-year-old will play the remaining 5 holes from his opening spherical earlier than going straight into one other 18 for his second spherical on certainly one of golf’s most difficult layouts.
Woods, who returned to golf after a close to deadly automobile crash in 2021 virtually resulted within the amputation of his proper leg, stated his physique was holding up effective.
“The physique is OK, we have got some work to do but tonight,” stated Woods, who additionally underwent ankle surgical procedure final 12 months.
“It was good to complete up 13. We’ll heat up and simply type of head down there and begin our spherical, and I believe the movement could be just about virtually like between 20 and half-hour in between rounds, so it’s going to be a pure movement from the end of the primary spherical and continuation of the second.”
With storms delaying the beginning of the 12 months’s first main by 2-1/2 hours, wet and gusty circumstances wouldn’t have favoured Woods, however by the point he headed out within the afternoon with Max Homa and Jason Day the solar had returned together with the warmth.
The previous world primary received his spherical off to the very best begin with a birdie on the first gap, one thing he had solely finished as soon as earlier than in 1999.
“I do not keep in mind the opposite time, to be trustworthy with you,” stated Woods. “I hit a pleasant three-wood off of 1, hit a pleasant little eight-iron in there about 10, 12 toes and made the putt.”
