Tiger Woods knows the challenges he faces, understands the physical limitations that will hamper him, and that this week at the PNC Championship is just one small step on his way back from a serious car crash.
He was able to see things from a different perspective as he played his first competitive round of golf in a year at the family event.
"Charlie's going to be carrying you guys I guess," joked Justin Thomas on the first hole, as Woods showed flashes of the 15-time major champion but plenty of reminders of the long journey he faces.
"It's frustrating when I don't hit the ball as far as I know that I can and the shots that I see don't come off the way I want," Woods said after he and Charlie combined for a scramble score of 10-under-par 62 at the Ritz- I don't have endurance by the old numbers. I have not played. This is my fourth round of the year. I don't have a lot of golf endurance.
It was a slow day because it was tiring out there. If I want to compete at the [PGA] Tour level, I have to get the endurance back and hit thousands of golf balls. It takes time.
Woods was not upset or discouraged when he turned 46. He seemed to enjoy the day: needling with Thomas and his dad, Mike, the applause from spectators who were keen to welcome him back, and the fact that he appeared to enjoy the day. Sam, Charlie's sister, and Woods' daughter were among those in attendance. Ian and his son, Joshua, were in the gallery and were just as excited to watch Charlie as Tiger was.
The competitive side of Woods was on full display when he mentioned that he and Charlie had made one bogey each round last year and that they wanted to not make another. The 62 came with a clean card and 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 888-270-6611 The Woodses are tied for fifth.
As the day wore on, it was clear that Woods' walking became more labored, and that Charlie hit a number of good tee shots to spare his dad the trouble. In the car crash that occurred in Southern California, Woods had a number of injuries, including a broken right leg, a fractured foot, and ankle. He was hospitalized for three weeks and it took months for him to walk on his own.
"I wish I could have walked with him and been with him every step like I was last year," Woods said. I'm not able to do that. It was different trying to drive the cart slower with him and talk to him and make sure we were present and we're still a team.
It's a little harder when I'm in a cart or trying to get through the galleries. The guys are very nice. It's not the same as walking step by step. It's a reality we can't experience this year.
Woods said he hit a 220-yard 4-iron behind the hole on the third, a good drive at the 14th, and a smoked 7-iron at the 17th. Joe LaCava said the 7-iron traveled about 185 yards and was one of his more impressive shots.
LaCava said that he was a club to a half-club off. It's pretty impressive when you think about it.
On the 11th hole, Woods tried to outdrive Thomas, but he was determined to not let him.
Thomas said that he really didn't need to say anything. I was so embarrassed that he hit it. That was enough.
Thomas, who won the Players Championship earlier this year for his 14th PGA Tour victory, has probably spent more time with Woods than anyone else. He's aware of the challenges that Woods faces. He saw a lot of positives in his game.
Thomas said he was so impressed by the speed that he had, that he was going to buy him a house. It looked like a lot of the moves were there. You would think he's not going to hit it as far as a little short.
That 4-iron he hit into 3 today was ridiculous. I looked at him as soon as he sat in the cart, he looked at me and smiled, and I knew that that was the kind of shot that he hits when he's healthy.
