Tiger Woods made his return to tournament golf at Valhalla during the first round of the PGA Championship. Despite his efforts, Woods struggled to find his rhythm and ended the day with a 1-over 72, well behind the early pace set by Xander Schauffele.
Woods, who has been dealing with health issues, attributed his performance to rust rather than physical limitations. He hit the ball as far as his playing partners but struggled to convert birdie opportunities, particularly towards the end of his round.
His putting let him down on the final two holes, resulting in three-putts that marred what could have been a more promising round. Woods acknowledged his shortcomings, stating that his performance on those holes was subpar.
Despite feeling relatively good physically, Woods admitted that each day presents different challenges due to his body's condition. His sporadic tournament appearances have made it difficult for him to find consistency in his game.
Woods started on the back nine and had a mixed bag of results, including a bogey and a birdie early on. While he showed flashes of his old form with a birdie on the par-3 third hole, he struggled to capitalize on scoring opportunities throughout the day.
With rain in the forecast for the following day, the conditions at Valhalla are expected to become more challenging. Woods, who has a history of success at the course, will need to improve his performance to make the cut and play through the weekend.
Despite his recent struggles, Woods remains determined to compete at the highest level. He will need to overcome his slow start and capitalize on his opportunities to have a chance at contending in the tournament.
Woods' journey back to competitive golf continues to be a work in progress, with each round presenting new challenges and opportunities for the legendary golfer.
