Tiger Woods gives people what they came to see at the Masters

The next ranking I saw confirmed it: Tiger Woods had managed the # 13 birdie success to qualify for a brace, a shot behind the leaders at the time. There was a buzz in the gallery as we gathered around the 14th green, waiting for Woods. This became a concern when he noticed that he was heading towards the trees on the left side of the fairway.

From the green, it appeared the only game for Woods to hit a low shot through the pines. After Woods hit the ball, everyone looked between the trees, expecting the ball to come out low. This is not the case. Did Woods steal the green? Some people hid and covered.

Then the ball fell from the sky and plunged into a high pin, 25 feet from the hole. The buzz was back, followed by anticipation as Woods aligned his putt.

"Let's go get him, Tiger, I want to hear a roar," whispered someone.

They got what they wanted when Woods made the putt, then turned to their companions to shout, "That's what we came for!

Many people came here for that. They had what they wanted. Woods was back at the Masters, beating and making them roar.

Woods shot twice less than the 70-year-old, tied for 11th place, four strokes behind the leader. Prior to this tournament, Woods had declared that he had a chance, and then came out and played as if nothing had happened.

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"I feel very good," said Woods. "I have the impression of having played well today and controlling my golf ball all day long. I pulled this number and earned four coats, so I hope to be able to do it again. "

Woods of course means green jackets, even if his memory is a bit unstable. He started with a 70 when he won the Masters in 1997, 1999 and 2001. He shot 74 on Thursday, when he won in 2002.

Woods's details were unclear, but his point of view is valid. A good start was essential so that he had a realistic chance of winning this week. He no longer has the power to overtake the rivals from far away in the pack and he lost the intimidating presence that had once brought him back.

That's why it was great to see Woods playing golf again at the Masters. It was fun to see how he electrifies the fans. I want to see him win another green jacket, but I do not let my imagination go wild, at least not yet.

To win this tournament, Woods will have to play at a level he has not reached for a long time in a major championship. His play diminished as the field deepened. Many young golfers won major tournaments while Woods was repairing his injuries and his life. They are here this week.

One of them is the leader of the first round, Brooks Koepka, winner of three major tournaments in the last two years. He is in the lead after shooting 66, a score matched by neophyte Bryson DeChambeau.

Woods' old rival Phil Mickelson shot 67 times. Dustin Johnson, champion of the US Open in 2016, scored 68. Among those who shot 69 was Adam Scott, the winner here in 2013.

Woods has a lot of good golfers to catch. At least he has a chance after the first round. Those firing for Woods on the course would have been deflated had he stumbled.

That happened when Woods opened with a 73 here last year, his first Masters since 2015. Nobody really believed that Woods, diminished by his injuries, could overcome the deficit of seven throws that he had. He faced Thursday. He scored 75 in the second round and finished tied 16th in 32nd position.

It was a good result for Woods given the circumstances. It was not what his followers wanted to see. Those who came back this year were given the right material from Woods on the first day, and it could have been better if his putter was sharper.

Woods missed the first leg in fifth place after bending less than seven feet from the pin. A small punch left him a 9-foot bird at No. 8, but he pushed him well. A good chip at No. 17 left a putt of eight feet at par, but he pushed another right.

Woods also could not be tempted by an eagle putt at number 15. He scratched his 301-meter drive up the middle of the fairway, which gave him a good chance of attacking him. a tame pin placement at 229 meters. Instead, Woods hit him 40 yards after the hole and had to settle for a back-and-forth par.

These are three, four, maybe five shots left by Woods on the course. But, in reality, it's just greedy. It was difficult to ask much more of Woods as he tried to find a way to win a major event in the third stage of his busy career.

"I felt good playing and I did everything I had to do today to publish a good number," Woods said.

That's what people came to see.

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