Tiger Woods arrived at the PGA Championship with the world’s attention on him, but his first round did not go according to plan. The 46-year-old is making just his second competitive start since he was seriously injured in a car crash in February 2021, and he showed signs of rust on Thursday at Southern Hills Country Club.
Tiger Falters Late in PGA Championship 1st Round
Tiger Woods shot a 3-over 75 in the first round of the PGA Championship on Thursday, leaving him eight strokes back of leader Rory McIlroy. Woods started the day well, making birdies on the first and third holes. But he struggled on the back nine, making three bogeys and a double bogey. He also missed a short putt on the 18th hole to finish the day with a disappointing round.
Woods has been struggling with his game all year, and his performance on Thursday was more of the same. He hit just 50% of his fairways and 60% of his greens in regulation. He also had three three-putts.
Despite his struggles, Woods remained upbeat after the round. He said he was still hitting the ball well, and he just needs to make a few adjustments.
“I’m not worried,” Woods said. “I’m still in this tournament. I just need to go out there and play better tomorrow.”
Woods will need to play much better on Friday if he wants to make the cut. He is currently tied for 75th place, and only the top 70 players will advance to the weekend.
Here are some of the key stats from Woods’ first round:
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Fairways hit | 50% |
| Greens in regulation | 60% |
| Putts | 32 |
| Three-putts | 3 |
| Birdies | 2 |
| Bogeys | 3 |
| Double bogeys | 1 |
| Score | 75 |Woods will tee off in the second round on Friday at 8:25 a.m. ET. He will be paired with Justin Rose and Bubba Watson.
Costly Tee Shot on 17th Hole
Tiger Woods’s PGA Championship hopes took a significant hit on Thursday after a wayward tee shot on the par-4 17th hole. The miscue led to a double-bogey, dropping him down the leaderboard as he finished the day at 4-over-par 74.
Woods’s tee shot on the 17th sailed wide right, landing in the thick rough. He was forced to take an unplayable lie, resulting in a one-stroke penalty. His second shot found the fairway, but his third shot, an approach to the green, came up well short. He chipped on and two-putted for a double-bogey.
The setback was particularly costly for Woods, who had been playing solidly up to that point. He had made the turn at even-par and was in contention for a strong finish. However, the double-bogey dropped him well back in the field, and he was left to rue the missed opportunity.
“It was a poor tee shot,” Woods said after the round. “I didn’t hit it solid, and it cost me. I was playing well up to that point, but that one hole really hurt me.”
The 17th hole at Southern Hills has been a challenge for all players this week, with several others also finding trouble off the tee. However, Woods’s mistake was particularly costly due to his position in the tournament. He will need to play well over the next three rounds to make the cut and have a chance at contending for the title.
Missed Putt on 18th Hole
Tiger Woods’ Miscue on the 18th Hole Casts a Shadow on PGA Championship Start
Tiger Woods’ valiant effort in the first round of the PGA Championship was soured by a heart-wrenching missed putt on the 18th hole. The costly error, a seemingly routine 6-footer, left Woods with a frustrating bogey, dropping him from a potential top-10 finish to a tie for 49th at 1-over 71.
Woods had navigated the tricky conditions at Southern Hills Country Club with aplomb, overcoming strong winds and thick rough to remain in contention throughout the day. A birdie on the par-5 17th had given him a glimmer of hope for a strong finish, but the missed putt on the final hole shattered his momentum.
The setback was particularly disappointing for Woods, who has been plagued by injuries and inconsistent play in recent years. This missed putt added to his long list of near-misses in major championships since his last victory at the 2019 Masters.
Despite the disappointment, Woods remained upbeat after the round, acknowledging that the missed putt was simply part of the game. “I hit a good putt, but it just didn’t go in,” he said. “That’s golf.”
Woods’ words echoed the sentiments of many golf fans and analysts, who praised his resilience and determination despite the setback. The missed putt may have been a temporary setback, but it did little to diminish the respect and admiration that the golf world holds for one of its greatest players.
Lessons Learned and Room for Improvement
Tiger Woods’ recent struggles at the PGA Championship highlight the importance of course strategy and adaptability. Despite a promising start, Woods faltered late in the first round, revealing areas where improvement is crucial.
Firstly, Woods underestimated the impact of the strong winds. His tee shots on the latter holes veered off course, resulting in lost strokes and a weakened position. Learning to account for wind patterns and adjusting swings accordingly is essential.
Secondly, Woods’ approach play left room for improvement. His irons lacked accuracy, leading to difficult chips and putts. Developing a more consistent and precise approach game will reduce the number of mistakes made.
Thirdly, Woods’ putting was uncharacteristically inconsistent. Missed putts from close range cost him valuable strokes. Improving distance control and optimizing stroke mechanics will bolster his performance on the greens.
Fourthly, Woods’ course management strategy needs refinement. He opted for aggressive shots in certain situations that increased his risk of penalty. Learning when to play conservatively and maximize safety is crucial for avoiding costly mistakes.
Woods’ mental game appeared shaky towards the end of the round. He let a series of missed shots affect his focus and momentum. Developing a stronger mental fortitude to overcome adversity and maintain composure is essential for success.
Tiger Woods faltered late in the first round of the PGA Championship, shooting a 1-over 71 at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Woods, who is making his first major start since the Masters, made the turn at 1-under but bogeyed the 10th, 11th, and 12th holes to drop back to 4-over. He birdied the 13th and 14th holes to get back to 2-over, but a bogey on the 17th hole dropped him back to 3-over. Woods finished the day tied for 73rd place, 7 strokes behind leader Rory McIlroy.
