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The focus is back on the guy who has had a lot of injuries and comebacks, and who has set a lot of golf records.
There was a crowd of thousands following Tiger Woods on a golf course. Knowing what we know was amazing to witness.
Since he last did this at the same Ritz- Carlton Golf Club, where his son, Charlie, stole the headlines at the PNC Championship, he has had a hard time remembering.
Padraig Harrington, the most recent European Ryder Cup captain, who had his battles with Woods throughout the years, is just as curious as the rest of us. He chuckled at the memory of pronouncing at the event.
"For the first time in my life, Tiger is not the story,'' he said.
Friday was obvious that Tiger Woods is now. The momentousness of the occasion made the Golf Channel not show live pro-am shots. It was almost a year ago that Woods was involved in a car crash that could have killed him.
Woods had injuries to his right leg and foot, and only recently has he felt good enough to appear in public. He needed a wheelchair and stayed in seclusion. He joked that getting around his mansion in South Florida was more of a chore than he realized.
He appeared at the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas a few weeks ago, doing his first interviews, and showing there was still some game left, as he hit balls on various days at the Albany course.
Even if he is riding in a golf cart, he has taken it to this point. The story isn't about Charlie's exploits, it's about the story. Charlie is the reason Tiger is here.
"Tiger really wanted to do this for him,'' said Herman. It was important to try and do this.
Herman said that Charlie didn't try to drag his dad to the tournament where they tied for seventh a year ago to remind him how much fun he had. Tiger wanted to make it happen.
We probably won't fully understand the magnitude of the struggle to get here.
Herman said that when a doctor asks us to rehabilitate, we are likely to be less committed. Not Tiger Woods.
She said that it has been harder for him to come back from knee and back issues than any of the others. He did it no matter what it was. Never missed. Did everything.
Play.
Tiger appears to be quite impressed when Charlie Woods makes a smooth, smooth, smooth, smooth, smooth, 17th hole hole-in-one.
That seems right for the brand of Woods, whose attention to detail and work ethic are part of the legend.
Notah Begay, Woods' teammate at the University of California, thinks he has alien genes. His ability to repair is second to none. I don't think we've seen anything like that before in sports.
Friday appeared to be business as usual. Herman doesn't like the pro-ams.
She asked if there were usually this many people.
She was hired to drive the cart and direct traffic. Rob McNamara, Tiger's long-time friend and eyes and ears over the past several years, was with Joe LaCava, Tiger's new caddie, inside the ropes discussing the swing and various aspects of the game.
McNamara admitted that he had reservations about doing this, given the struggles that lay ahead and the fact that even walking the short distances between the cart and the greens is still going to take a toll over three days.
He acknowledged that it seemed right that Woods bonding with his son on this stage was worth it.
A lot of what Woods did on the course seemed normal if you didn't know what you know.
Woods has never been fully engaged in pro-ams. He chats up his amateur partners, jokes around with a few stragglers, and works on his game but not in a high-intensity manner. That was the case Friday. He practiced his short game on the greens. He put the ball on the greens.
He hit from the back tees, which measure just more than 7,200 yards, and there was some thought he might not hit a tee shot. He had his moments, such as on the 11th hole, where his tee shot went 320 yards.
Play.
Charlie Woods' second shot on the 11th came within an inch of going into the hole for an eagle.
Woods' short game looked good around the greens. He's been able to work on that aspect the most.
One drive got away from him on the ninth hole, and Woods was not happy about it. As Charlie walked by his dad, the younger Woods quipped: "Nice shot,'' which in turn had Tiger firing his tee at Charlie's back and eliciting a huge laugh.
Woods is working on a new golf ball and a prototype driver. A few weeks ago, he showed a new device for swing speed and launch angle work. He is giving love to his sponsors, who have not been able to benefit from the attention he draws to them.
Woods is fully engaged in the process. He loves testing out the new toys in the game and is engaged in the recovery. He was hitting chip shots from behind the 18th green despite being in some pain.
Woods hit less shots as the round went on. He wanted to save them for the tournament. That makes sense. The weather is warm and it is going to be tiring.
"For all intents and purposes, nine months hasn't done his swing any different.'' It doesn't look any different to him. Speed is going to be an issue when you come back.
Speed. And perseverance. The ability to walk. And walk. And walk a bit more.
It is an act that is taken for granted but now takes on extra meaning for him. Woods is going to need more time. Four rounds of tournament golf at the highest level adds to the stress and is not something to be taken for granted.
This event should not be like that. It is supposed to be low-key, but it is almost impossible when Woods is involved. The spotlight will be on him again.
An important part of the comeback would be on hold if it weren't for Charlie.
