[ad_1]
AUGUSTA, GA – Tiger Woods once claimed to have recovered on national television at Augusta National Golf Club. It happened during the last round of the 2015 Masters on the 9th hole. Woods said a bone in his wrist came out and he just … put it back. There was no apparent physical illness for Woods on Thursday in the first round of the Masters 2020, but this golf course has given a similar balm for a game that for Tiger has been a bit of a mess so far this year. .
Woods only has one top 10 this year, and the only boost he brought this week was the fact that he was the defending champion, having epically won the Masters 19 months ago. He was even nostalgic this week, not something Tiger normally displays. Woods spoke about how he thought having the green jacket over the past year and a half might be the last time he takes it off Augusta National ownership.
Or maybe not.
After a practice round Wednesday with two former champions in which his swing looked smooth and demeanor upbeat, Woods came out and shot a 4-under 68 Thursday with a clean, bogey-free card. He is three backs in the first lead (held by Paul Casey) but in uncharted territory for him through 18 holes at the Masters.
Woods only shot a 68 on another occasion in a first round at the Masters, but whenever he’s been 70 or better (six in all) he’s finished in the top six in the standings. His five wins started with a first round of 70.
Looks like it’s time to tie in with what could be another full week of Tiger Woods moving up and down Augusta.
“It was good all over. I drove it well, I hit my irons well and put on well. There’s really nothing that, in hindsight, that I could have done a little better. I could have made a few more putts, ”he told ESPN after the round. “… There is a feeling of ease when I come here just because I understand how to prepare for this golf course, and there is no other major league playing [in the same location] every year. … There is nothing that I felt like I had done wrong. Looking forward to every time I play [Friday] sometimes.”
Statistically, Woods wasn’t long, but he was good. He hit 10 of 14 fairways and hit 15 greens in regulation. He didn’t get in bad places, and if there’s a stress-free 68 in Augusta, he shot it.
After birdies at # 13, 15 and 16 (Woods started the day at # 10), he threw a long one on the first hole. After that, he stabilized his round before taking one last look at the 9, which he narrowly missed.
Again, there was no telling here. Nothing in Tiger’s game indicated that he was going to open up to Augusta, let alone that he would post his first turn without a major bogey after 105 turns of being unable to accomplish that feat.
|
2000 US Open |
-6 |
Won |
|
Open 2000 Championship |
-5 |
Won |
|
PGA Championship 2009 |
-5 |
2nd |
|
Masters 2020 |
-4 |
To be determined |
This is Woods’ brilliance at Augusta National. He knows how to avoid misfires, knows where the leaves should be. When his irons cooperate as they were on Thursday, the scores are there.
It is also the brilliance of Augusta. It gives and takes, but for those who can solve its mysteries and not outdo themselves, it often delivers the scores you want.
Last year’s final round – which led to Woods’ 15th major victory – was a lesson in wisdom and defense. Tiger didn’t make a mistake, but he didn’t really score either. This year, in the first round, he did it. It was a lesson in choosing your places and playing on the offensive, but without trying to overdo it.
Woods almost always plays well on this golf course. This is no surprise to anyone. In 2015 – the year he recovered in the final round – he hadn’t even played for several months and still finished in the top 25.
Tiger can want and think of himself around Augusta National like few ever have. And when the swing is fluid and he works the ball like he did on Thursday, well years like 2019 and accomplishments like capturing another green jacket suddenly feel horrible to hit.
[ad_2]
Source link