Via:yahoo/sports
AUGUSTA, Ga. – Tiger crushed his tee shot off the first tee down middle of the fairway. No nerves. He was met with mostly applause and shouts of support, although there was a smattering of boos laced in there. Crowd in his favor, but not unanimous.
A plane flew around the course dragging a sign that read: “Tiger, did you mean Bootyism?” Who would pay for such a thing? “It’s Mickelson,” joked fan Michael Friday of Milwaukee.
Hole No. 1
Tiger made a par on the par-4, 445-yard first hole. Very solid, steady start considering the obvious nerves.
Meanwhile, on the subject of another TW, 60-year-old Tom Watson just made a six-foot birdie putt on 18 to finish with a five-under 67.
No. 2
Back to Tiger: His second shot on the par-5 second ended up on the edge of the bunker. He should make a par, at the worst.
Woods hit his third shot about 20 feet left of the hole. He’ll be fortunate to finish with par. His par effort finished about four feet away. He made it, and is even after two. The second is considered the easiest on the course, so a slight missed opportunity for Woods.
No. 3
At the third, Woods hit another stellar drive. He followed with a lob shot to within five feet for his first great birdie chance. He made it, and now is red numbers.
No. 4
The tough, 240-yard par-3, fourth will present a real challenge. There have been only two birdies so far, along with 56 pars and 25 bogeys. Tiger escaped with a par to remain at one under.
No. 5
Tiger moves on to the 455-yard par four. There have been only five birdies, 50 pars, and 30 bogeys. After driving it into the gallery, he hit his second on to the green but faces a brutal uphill putt. He hit it to within eight feet, not bad considering the difficulty. Tiger converted for a good save. Par
Current score:1 under
No. 6
Tiger teeing off on the 187-yard, par-3 sixth hole. There have been only eight birdies today. Tiger hit it to about 15 feet from pin, on the upper plateau of the green. Definite birdie opportunity. Tiger missed it. Par
Current score:1 under
No.7
Tiger used a fairway wood to wind up in the rough. The winds, meanwhile, have been blowing pretty steady. The Weather Channel radar shows rain is coming soon to the area. There may only be a hole or two more before a delay. Tiger’s second shot winds up just short of the green and rolls back down in front of the green. He has a tricky up and down to save par. He failed to get it done. Bogey
Current score:Even
No. 8
After a solid drive, Tiger hit his second on the par 5 to within 10 feet. An eagle would put him only three shots out of the lead. Tiger said he’d lose the demonstrative celebrations (and club slams). Will he make eagle and not give us a fist pump? He converted, and then did a small fist pump. Eagle
Current score:2 under
No. 9 Tiger drove it left on the difficult, par 4 and will now have to shape his shot to get it on the green. He hit a remarkable hook to give himself a great birdie chance. He doesn’t look like he’s missed 144 days of tournament golf. Meanwhile, the Emergency Alert System just issued a “Tornado Watch” for the area until 11 p.m. Tiger made the putt to climb within two of the lead. Birdie Current score:3 under
