Tiger Woods completes 16 holes at Genesis Invitational Pro-Am

LOS ANGELES — Tiger Woods performed 16 holes and walked 18 within the Genesis Invitational Professional-Am Wednesday morning in his first public spherical of golf since final December’s PNC Championship.

Woods, who will play with Justin Thomas and Rory McIlroy within the first two rounds of the event beginning Thursday, arrived at Riviera earlier than dawn and practiced on the vary with lights earlier than his 6:30 a.m. tee time.

When Woods teed off, the solar was simply peeking out over the horizon and the temperature was within the low 40s. It remained there all through the entrance 9 holes whereas the wind picked up considerably. Woods, sporting what seemed to be a number of layers, seemed chilly however snug swinging.

“I’m very rusty, however I’ve come off a rusty scenario earlier than and I’ve achieved effectively,” Woods stated Tuesday. “Plus, I do know this golf course. I do know I have never had a whole lot of success on this golf course, however I knew what to follow for, pictures to hit at dwelling preparing.”

Through the first a part of his spherical Wednesday, Woods’ gait seemed extra regular than it has previously, with no noticeable limp, although he did seem to take his time and care strolling up and down steep slopes. By the again 9, he did look to be strolling extra gingerly, avoiding placing an excessive amount of weight on his ankle. After choosing up his ball on the sixteenth gap, Woods didn’t play the remainder of the way in which and took his time strolling again up the clubhouse. He didn’t take a cart.

Because the 15-time main winner stated Tuesday, hitting pictures isn’t a difficulty for him, however strolling, and particularly his proper ankle, are what have affected him probably the most. Although Woods stated his leg and the plantar fasciitis are doing higher, the duty of doubtless strolling 72 holes over the course of 4 days stays daunting, however not daunting sufficient that he believes he should not be out right here with an opportunity to win.

“I’d not have put myself out right here if I did not assume I might beat these guys and win the occasion,” Woods stated Tuesday. “That is my mentality.”

Woods additionally spent further time on the greens Wednesday — which at Riviera are usually a number of the smallest and hardest on the PGA Tour — working towards further putts from completely different positions. The wind was so robust at one level that Woods hit a driver and 3-wood on the par-4 ninth gap. He laughed as his method shot got here up brief in a greenside bunker.

It has been virtually two years since Woods was significantly injured in a automotive accident close to the positioning of this week’s event, which Woods hosts. He then underwent a number of surgical procedures on his proper leg and foot; at one level, Woods stated surgeons practically needed to amputate his proper leg. Since then, Woods has solely performed in majors till now.

“I do know I am not going to be taking part in a full schedule and I’ve obtained to select and select what I’ll be taking part in in and it will likely be very restricted,” Woods stated Tuesday. “So I will put all my power into these occasions.”