Expert's take: How will Tiger play in return to action?
NASSAU, Bahamas – Tiger Woods has put the rumors to bed about his demise since he arrived at Albany Golf Club last Saturday to put the final touches on his return to competitive golf for the first time in 15 months.
Ahead of Thursday’s first round of the Hero World Challenge at Albany Golf Club, Woods has shown the golf world he is healthy, he is powerful and long and he is relaxed and upbeat before finally getting back inside the ropes.
There are no disasters in wait at the end of his chipping clubs, his driver has been the best club in his bag through sessions on the range, practice rounds and the pro-am. He looks in sync with the new clubs in his bag – the three TaylorMade metal woods – looks comfortable with his Nike irons and trusty Scott Cameron putter in his hands and looks more than happy with the Bridgestone ball he is putting in play for the first time in his 20-year pro career.
Now, however, the most scrutinized and criticized golfer on the planet has one more question to answer: Will he compete against a world-class field that includes Dustin Johnson, Jordan Spieth, defending champion Bubba Watson and Ryder Cup hero Patrick Reed?
It’s a big ask even for the man with 14 majors and 79 PGA Tour titles.
Is Tiger Woods back? He talks a good game, but we'll see if he can compete
The field is stout. The course likely will be windswept. And there will be plenty of rust Woods needs to shed.
The former No. 1 – who has fallen to No. 898 – said his biggest concerns this week are the adrenaline rushes he will feel for the first time in 466 days and the need to quickly find a rhythm to his rounds. Both will become heightened concerns if the wind howls over this flat, sand-encompassed course, intensifying his worries about flying his shots the proper distances and dealing with some of the best players in the world.
And he hasn’t putted and chipped to tucked pin positions in competition for 15 months. Nor has he looked at a scoreboard to see where he stands.
All told, the thinking here is Woods shoots 70 to 73 (par is 72) in the first round and battles to finish mid-pack come Sunday. Considering his absence, that should be considered a confident outcome heading into 2017. Considering his back, if he finishes 72 holes without a health incident should be favorably received by one and all.
