Tiger Woods made a stunning comeback to the golf course on Thursday, participating in his first tournament since withdrawing from the Masters in April. The event took place at Albany Golf Club in the Bahamas during the opening round of the Hero World Challenge. Woods shot a 3-over 75 while playing alongside Justin Thomas, finishing with four birdies, seven pars, and three bogeys.
Since sustaining serious leg injuries in a car crash in February 2021, Woods has made significant progress in his recovery. Although he was able to walk on a treadmill by February 2022, he acknowledged that he still had a long way to go before being able to navigate the terrain of a golf course.
Nearly a year later, Woods pulled out of the 2023 Masters due to plantar fasciitis. This marked the second major withdrawal in 12 months, with Woods also pulling out of the 2022 PGA Championship after three rounds. In April 2023, Woods underwent a “subtalar fusion” procedure in his ankle to address post-traumatic arthritis resulting from a previous fracture.
In terms of his performance, Woods displayed a good game at the Hero World Challenge, hitting the ball well and appearing more at ease while walking. His long drives and solid iron play were notable, but his round was significantly affected by a lack of practice and playing time. Despite making some mental errors, Woods acknowledged that he would improve with more experience.
Notably, Woods seemed to be enjoying himself during the tournament, showing a relaxed demeanor. He was accompanied by his friend Rob McNamara as his caddie, and his close friend Justin Thomas was by his side. Although he experienced some frustration during the game, Woods appeared to be in a better mental and emotional state compared to his demeanor in previous years.
Overall, Woods’ return to golf holds promise, with the golfer exhibiting signs of a healthy and capable body and a more relaxed attitude on the course. (Photo: Mike Ehrmann / Getty Images)
