After finishing in the top five at Quicken Loans National this month, Tiger Woods is back this week looking for his first league win since the 2008 US Open.

The 14-time Grand Champion participates in the third golf tournament, The Open Championship, this week at Carnoustie Golf Links in Scotland. Tiger opened the game Thursday with a par 71, pulling 2-over on the back nine after a 34 on the front of 34.

Tiger played the Open in 2015, missing the cut and finishing 137th. His career at Carnoustie includes a T47 at the Scottish Open 1995, he missed the cup the following year, and then finished T7 at the 1999 Open and T12 at the Open 2007.

Tiger leaves at 5:20 ET with Hideki Matsuyama and Russell Knox. Follow it for analysis by shooting from its opening lap

Reflections at the turning

Tiger's strategy yesterday was simple: push back the t-shirt, avoid trouble, shoot at the pins if possible. With the winds and rain of today, this strategy has prevented mistakes by any means necessary. Tiger was 2 to less than 4 yesterday, but was 2 to 4 today. He missed the rider several times (and an iron) on the start and was forced to jostle early after some missteps with bogeys on # 2 and # 3. Then he seemed to find his pace a bit before making a another shot on 9. It's time to make the cut and make a move on Saturday, which Tiger has already done several times this season. That being said, I would not be surprised if the elements continue to win the day

Hole 9 – By 4

Stinger Time! The tee's tiger iron flies low and long on the right side of the fairway. Not too bad. He loses his approach to the right, running out of green in the fairway. His chip rolls within 10 feet, but misses him by saving. Hard to return to 1 on the day (1 for the tournament)

Hole 8 – Par 3

Tiger cuts this one through the wind and sails the green perfectly. The pin is guarded by bunkers and nestled toward the back of the green, and Tiger's balls leave the cup safely for another chance of birdie. Her birdie putt was close, but just missed the cup by a few inches, leaving another pair-in. Not bad, but definitely a missed opportunity after a good start to gain momentum before heading back. Even up to 8 (Even for the tournament)

Hole 7 – By 4

Tiger goes back to an iron from the tee but loses this one too. He's in the rough rough with a little more than 200 yards to go, and his second shot gets up short of the green, leaving a small flip niche that nestles just a few feet from the cup. He types in a big by to stay even until 7 (Even for the tournament).

Hole 6 – By 5

Another driver for Tiger, and this one goes right, right in the rough. His second shot of the rough is solid, finding the fairway and leaving a corner in the green. Tiger's ball landed in a divot, and he played cautiously, finding the green but well below the hole. There is not much going on here, normally two putts at a distance. Even up to 6 (Even for the tournament)

Hole 5 – Par 4

Tiger's starting shot is solid, just in the middle of the fairway, but not as far his partners. From 183 yards and the wind behind his back, he throws an 8-iron in the wind and finds the green. He is below the hole with another birdie look. And it's gone! Tiger gives this one a roll and it falls for its second consecutive birdie to return to even by the day to 5 (Even for the tournament).

Hole 4 – Par 4

The grounds not being so dry, Tiger seems to be looking for the distance to safety, pulling the pilot again on number 4. This one is torn on the fairway, and judging by the twirl club, he likes that. Tiger drops his approach shot within 15 feet of the cut and puts a little spin on it, bringing the ball behind the hole for a solid look at a necessary early birdie. It was a bit straighter than Tiger expected, but he fell in love with the birdies. 1-to-4 (1-for the tournament).

Hole 3 – By 4

Needing a rebound hole after a hard blow on No. 2, Tiger's iron from the tee finds the left fairway at the top of a small hill. Useful shot here. His approach is good, not great, finding the green about 20-30 feet from the hole. He left a handful of birdie putts yesterday, but did not make the same mistake here. Tiger gave this one a ride, but rolled 5 feet after the cut. Oh no, this one just misses on the left, about a ball revolution far from falling for by. It's another bogey. Ouch. 2-over thru 3 (2-for the tournament).

Hole 2 – Par 4

Whoa, driver here for Tiger on No. 2. After staying conservative almost all day yesterday, he goes for this one but finds the rough good. His second shot was not pretty. He barely manages to get out of the stalemate and he can reach 100 yards forward in the crowd. He drops his approach to the center of the putting green, and his putt never came back from the right, leaving a tap-in bogey. 1-over thru 2 (1-over for the tournament)

Hole 1 – Par 4

Tiger starts his day like yesterday with a big iron tee, far and down the middle of the fairway. His approach is safe, less than 20 feet and right of the cut. Nothing good to see from there, easy two shots to start the day. Even through 1 (Even for the tournament).