Tiger Woods Shoots Opening-Round 71 at 2022 Masters in Return from Leg Injury

When asked if he believes he can win the Masters, Tiger Woods said "I do."

Woods battled his way to a one-under 71 as the main attraction of Thursday's opening round, but who can really doubt him after he battled his way to a one-under 71 as the main attraction of Thursday's opening round?

GOLF on CBS ⛳ @GOLFonCBS

In his first competitive round in 508 days, Tiger Woods finishes Thursday at the Masters under par. pic.twitter.com/gSrm6MGo17

Field Yates @FieldYates

In his first round of competitive golf in 508 days and coming back from what was essentially a shattered leg, Tiger Woods shoots a 1-under par at the opening round of The Masters.

Incredible.

Under normal circumstances, Woods is one of the biggest storylines at the Masters.

He has five green jackets and 14 top 10 finishes at Augusta National Golf Club. Tiger is only the second golfer to have more Masters titles, making him appointment viewing whenever he plays at the first major.

This year was not normal.

This is the first official PGA Tour event since Woods suffered serious leg injuries in a car crash. He had to have surgery and was considering amputation at one point.

It was a challenge for the all-time great to play at a championship level.

Tim Layden @ByTimLayden

Experienced hikers understand exactly how Tiger is using a club to help him walk Augusta.

72 holes is a long road and it will be a challenge for me, Woods told reporters Tuesday.

He was more than willing to look for it right out of the gates.

Marty Smith @MartySmithESPN

Followed Tiger tee to green on 1.I don't know anyone else in sports who produces electric energy in every spectator the way he does --

Ronaldo maybe? LeBron in a Game 7, maybe? Lewis? -- and the draw is only intensified by the context of his amazing return to #TheMasters

After missing the fairway and the green in his first two shots, Woods drained a medium-length putt to save par on the first hole. He ripped off five straight pars to start his round, but missed a chance to make it six when his putt on the fifth rimmed out.

He made a dart of a tee shot on the par-three sixth to set up his first official birdie in his return to golf.

He overcame poor tee shots on the seventh and ninth holes to save par but struggled with his approach to the green on the eighth and gave back a stroke.

The cliche that one can't win a tournament on the first day but can lose it exists for a reason, and Woods continued to keep himself well within striking distance with a steady dose of pars on Nos. 10, 11 and 12 that showed off his scrambling ability.

He moved back into the red numbers on the par-five 13th after hitting his second shot into the green, and then made a bogey on the 18th.

While he gave a stroke back with a bogey on the 14th, it was clear he was dialed in with excellent approach shots from out of the tree area on back-to-back holes. The galleries were waiting for him to arrive on No. 16 when he made a long putt and pumped his fist.

The Augusta roar was back after he finished his inspiring showing with two more pars. The last one came on a scramble and medium-length putt.