Golfing legend Tiger Woods returned to a PGA Tour event for the first time in just under a year on Thursday in round 1 of the Genesis Invitational. And while he had some incredible highlights, one rough shot in particular left a sour taste in his mouth at the end of the round.
Woods finished the round with five birdies on the day, his final coming on the Par 5 17th hole to get his round back to even par.
One of just three players to reach the 609-yard par-5 17th in two today.
@TigerWoods moves to even par with a birdie @TheGenesisInv. pic.twitter.com/p1tMDlH4qA— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 15, 2024
Unfortunately, the 18th hole was a rollercoaster for him to say the least. He started the hole by putting a perfect drive into the fairway. But his second shot was far from perfect, traveling just 71 yards and shooting straight right into the trees.
No one is immune to the dreaded shank.
Not even Tiger Woods. pic.twitter.com/6qJQY1W5yU
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 15, 2024
It may not be hyperbole to call this one of if not the worst shot of Woods’ storied professional career. And plenty certainly had something to say about it on social media.
I’m posting this cause I want the impressions
😂😂😂
Nah all jokes to one side… golf doesn’t care who you are & doesn’t care how hard you work at it…
Man what a sport!
The best player to ever do it hits a shot we see every weekend at the golf club
One of us, one of us 😂 https://t.co/Q5qoENa7YC
— Ryan Mouque (@ryanmouquegolf) February 15, 2024
Me at every tee box I’ve ever been at in my life. https://t.co/ujilYuI0Z1
— Layten Praytor (@PraytorLayten) February 15, 2024
Tiger and I are basically the same https://t.co/VXIkCAzSY3
— Ian Cuevas (@IanCuevas6) February 15, 2024
Only time I’ve ever related to Tiger Woods https://t.co/wOxBqw6pHM
— Andy Rieckhoff (@AndyOnTheAM) February 15, 2024
It’s okay Tiger, I do this all the time. https://t.co/RbrUPxNu5w
— Colin (@TriceHartLane) February 15, 2024
This show from Woods’ is something similar to what you would see at your local golf club on any given weekend. However. what separates someone like Tiger Woods and you on the golf course is how Tiger was able to recover from this errant shot.
Woods was able to hit his next shot onto the green from 109 yards out, and would end up making only a bogey on the hole to finish with a +1 round.
An impressive shot from the trees.
Tiger Woods escapes with a bogey at the last. https://t.co/yu5C1v2RtL pic.twitter.com/YHERkzNXe2
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 15, 2024
Woods discussed the shank after the round, saying that it was caused by back spasms that plagued the end of his round, which is a bit concerning given his injury history with his back.
“Oh, I definitely shanked it,” said Woods as he chuckled. “My back was spasming and locking up the last couple of holes. So I came down and it didn’t move and I shanked it. It’s been a while from the position I was at.”
Tiger Woods explains what happened on his second shot on No. 18 ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/cugNAmy3cI
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 15, 2024
Hopefully Woods can not only put that shot out of his memory but also get his back in order before he tees off in Round 2 of the event on Friday.
