Tiger Woods, playing his first tournament since his long predicted divorce became final, fired his lowest score of the year on Thursday to share the first-round lead at The Barclays.
In fact, Woods’s six-under 65 was his best score since he was engulfed last November by a sex scandal that ultimately spelled the end of his marriage to model Elin Nordegren.
The couple’s divorce became final on Monday, although Woods said he couldn’t put his performance on Thursday down to any feeling of relief.
PHOTO: REUTERS
“I can’t really say that’s the case. As far as golf-wise, it was nice to put it together,” said Woods, who had seven birdies and one bogey as he matched compatriot Vaughn Taylor for the lead.
“It’s exciting to hit the ball flush again,” said Woods, who hadn’t led a US PGA Tour event since the Tour Championship last September. “It’s something I’ve been missing all year.”
Woods’s admission of multiple affairs made him a laughing stock and led to a five-month layoff from golf. His game suffered, hitting an all-time low earlier this month with his worst four-round showing at the Bridgestone Invitational.
“It was a lot more difficult than I was letting on,” Woods said Wednesday of playing through his divorce. “Most of the summer was like that. You try to block it out, but yes, at times it was [very painful].”
Woods and Taylor both played early, benefiting from light winds and smooth greens.
No one in the afternoon was able to match them and they held a one-shot lead over Australian Adam Scott, Brian Gay and Ryan Palmer.
Scott had a chance to join them atop the board, but a tricky gust of wind at his final hole contributed to a bogey.
Palmer had a chance to join the leaders until a three-putt bogey at the last.
Despite Woods’ well-documented struggles this season, Scott said he wasn’t surprised to see the world No. 1 shooting a 65.
“For him to piece things together can’t be too hard,” Scott said. “He’s very good.”
Woods certainly looked good on Thursday, as he found all but one fairway at Ridgewood Country Club and had putts for birdie at all but two holes.
The last time Woods held a tournament lead anywhere was when he won the Australian Masters on Nov. 15.
Less than two weeks later came the mysterious car crash that spawned revelations of infidelity.
Woods entered the first US PGA playoff event ranked 112th in points and needing to reach the top 100 to qualify for next week’s event in Boston.
However, so many points are on offer that Woods would jump to the top of the list if he could win the title. He must finish at least 57th to advance.
“I figure if I win I should be OK, so that doesn’t change things,” Woods said. “I have to play well this week in order to advance and this is a good start.”
While the greens got bumpier as the day wore on, there were still plenty of players within striking distance.
A group of 14 players were on 67 including veteran Davis Love, defending champion Heath Slocum, Colombian Camilo Villegas, Aussies Jason Day and John Senden and former British Open champion Stewart Cink.
Phil Mickelson, who has his ninth chance in four months to seize the world No. 1 ranking from Woods, had just one birdie in a 72.
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