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Tiger Woods leaves golf world stunned in 'unbelievable' return to PGA Tour

The 47-year-old made his long-awaited return to the PGA Tour at the Genesis Invitational, finishing -2 in the first round.

Sam Goodwin
·Sports Editor
·5-min read
Tiger Woods, pictured here producing a birdie in his first hole in a PGA Tour event in 884 days.
Tiger Woods produced a birdie in his first hole in a PGA Tour event in 884 days. Image: Getty/PGA

Tiger Woods has sent golf fans into a frenzy after producing a birdie on his first hole in a PGA Tour event in 884 days, before finishing two-under in stunning scenes. The 47-year-old made his long-awaited return to the PGA Tour on Thursday, teeing off at the Genesis Invitational at Riviera Country Club.

The 15-time major champion hadn't played an official PGA Tour event since suffering significant injuries in a car accident in 2021. However he made his triumphant return on Thursday - and started off with a bang.

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Woods produced a brilliant chip onto the green and nailed his birdie putt to go -1 with a four on the par-5. Unfortunately he produced a bogey not long after that sent him back to even-par, but golf fans were still delighted with the way the American champion started.

One TV commentator described Woods' birdie as 'extraordinary' considering it was the first hole he'd played at an official PGA Tour event in 884 days. The golf icon then got back into the red with another birdie on the 8th hole, before falling back to one-over with a couple of bogeys on the back nine.

But in extraordinary scenes, Woods produced three-consecutive birdies on the 16th, 17th and 18th to finish at -2 for the first round. The incredible finish sent the golf world into meltdown.

Woods did play three of the majors in 2022, but hadn't played a PGA Tour event since his accident. He has been limited the past two years by the severe leg injuries he suffered in the February 2021 wreck.

He acknowledged earlier this week that his fitness remained an unknown factor. "As far as the recovery, it's more of my ankle, whether I can recover day to day," Woods said on Tuesday. "My leg is better. ... It's been an intricate balance, a little dance.

"It's gotten so much better the last couple months. I wouldn't put myself out here if I didn't think I could beat these guys."

Tiger Woods not just making up the numbers

After undergoing multiple surgeries in the wake of the accident, Woods made a stunning comeback at last year's Masters - where he finished 47th. He later withdrew from the PGA Championship after 54 holes and missed the cut at the Open Championship at St Andrews.

The 47-year-old had been scheduled to compete at the unofficial Hero World Challenge in December. However he pulled out because of plantar fasciitis.

Speaking ahead of the Genesis Invitational, Woods said he wasn't just playing to make up the numbers. "I have not come around to the idea...If I am playing, I am playing to win," he said.

Tiger Woods, pictured here in action during the opening round of the The Genesis Invitational at Riviera Country Club.
Tiger Woods in action during the opening round of the The Genesis Invitational at Riviera Country Club. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images) (Michael Owens via Getty Images)

"I can't wrap my mind around that as a competitor. If I am playing the event I am going to try and beat you. I am playing to get the W.

"I don't understand that making the cut is a great thing. If I enter the event it is to win...There will come a point in time where my body won't allow me to do that anymore. And that is probably sooner, rather than later.

"Wrapping around my head around the transition and being an ambassador to just play and be out here with the guys...that is not in my DNA."

with agencies

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