Tiger Woods delivers a resilient first round at The Masters 2024

The first round of The Masters 2024 saw Tiger Woods in action, demonstrating his resilience and skills. Woods finished his round at 1 over, but for the first 13 holes he was under par, a streak that was interrupted by the suspension due to darkness. The continuation of the round on Friday was not the same for Tiger Woods.

Woods got off to a fast start Thursday with a birdie on the par-4 opening hole, his first Masters opening birdie since 1999, and he remained consistent as conditions dried out in the afternoon. Woods, 48, bogeyed the par-3 fourth but responded with a two-putt birdie on the par-5 eighth for a 1-under 35 on the front nine. He made three straight slick up-and-down pars in a row on Nos. 10-12, then escaped the trees in route to par on the par-5 13th, his final hole of the day.

Tiger Woods resumed his first round at 7:50 a.m. Friday and finished his 18 holes with bogeys on the 14th and 18th. He started the second round 1 over par and tied for 37th.

Woods entered the week on a streak of 23 consecutive Masters cuts, tied with Fred Couples and Gary Player for the all-time record. He’ll have a chance to hold that record alone on Friday, but expected windy conditions (up to 34 mph) should present a challenge for Woods and the field at large. DeChambeau shot a 7-under 65 earlier in the day, one ahead of world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler’s 6-under 66.

Concerns about Tiger Woods’ health

Tiger Woods, a name synonymous with golf history, graced Augusta after a difficult year marked by injury and absence. Despite limited play this year, with only one full round at the Genesis Invitational, Woods’ presence at Augusta underscores his indomitable spirit. Concerns about his health, particularly his ankle mobility due to lower leg injuries, have not deterred Woods from taking on Augusta’s challenging terrain, known for its demanding slopes. Early reports from his Monday practice round, a customary pre-tournament ritual, painted a promising picture.

Teaming up with Will Zalatoris during the first practice round ahead the Masters, Woods showed that his mastery of the course remains undiminished. Zalatoris, acknowledging Woods’ prowess, admitted, “He beat me a couple of times,” a testament to Woods’ enduring skill and competitive spirit. For Woods, that practice round was not just about readiness; it was a statement about his resilience and enduring legacy.

The excitement surrounding Woods’ Monday practice round set the stage for what promises to be a historic week. Michael Collins’ observations captured the essence of Woods’ performance, affirming, “Tiger moved well,” a testament to his enduring talent. Woods’ precision on the 11th hole, hitting it to 3 feet, rekindled memories of his extraordinary abilities at the Masters.

Tiger Woods also made a good impression on the second day of practice. He played alongside Justin Thomas and Fred Couples, with the latter asserting that Woods is “here to win. Reports from the course said the 15-time major champion hit a clubhead speed of 179 MPH while practicing on the range, and also walked the nine holes of his practice with ease.