Watch Out World, Tiger’s Back!

Tiger Woods today returned to the Open Championship for the first time since St Andrew’s in 2015 and seriously looked like he meant business.

What a start!

Despite wincing after his shot off the first tee, fans were relieved to see that it was just some dust flying up into his eye rather than a poor shot as he stroked it dead centre of the fairway. After cutting an iron to 10 foot to set up his birdie people knew the American was back to contend in a Major.

Tiger duly converted the birdie putt to move to -1 and start his tournament in exciting fashion. At the fourth another beauty of an approach shot followed which set up his second birdie of the day leaving him -2 and in contention once more at a Major Championship!

Worlds away from the aggressive driving stratagies of players like Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm, who tried to reduce the course using their driver, Woods was cool, calculated and pragmatic about his approach to Carnoustie, plotting his way around, and playing to his strengths as much as he could.

On the fifth, he misjudged his approach leaving him in a deep hollow just to the right of the green. What followed can only be described as magic, a perfectly judged putt up and over the ledge almost dropped, what would have been a most improbable birdie. The moment reminiscent of the 15th at the Masters all those years ago, with the Nike logo just waiting to drop in the hole. As it was, the ball stayed out this time, but Tiger clearly had his feel back.

More very solid golf followed, with a number of par saves keeping the American in contention despite rising winds and fellow afternoon starters struggling around him, Woods looked desperate to keep in contention.

Trouble on the Back Nine

Unfortunately even Woods’ determination wavered on the back nine as conditions turned horrid, a loose drive on 10 led to his first dropped shot of the day, and an unforced error on the par three 13th, a three putt, led to another dropped shot.

On 15 another loose drive followed, and despite a very good attempt with his third shot coming in, a downslope heavy bounce led to Woods giving another shot back to the course and dropping back to even par.

Despite all these setbacks and rising winds, Woods regained composure to battle through the brutal closing stretch at Carnoustie in level par.

He far from set the world alight on his return to the Open, but in tough conditions, the American looked closer to his old self then I have seen him in a long time.

Tomorrow is a new day for Tiger, and Golf Punk can't wait to see what kinder wind and perhaps the softer morning conditions may offer for the 14 time Major Champion.