One stellar round doesn’t necessarily mean Tiger Woods is back, but the signs were sure good for him at the Australian Open on Thursday.
Woods recorded his first bogey free round in nine months, and he did it in tough, windy afternoon conditions, shooting a four-under-par 68 in the first round at The Lakes.
He looked at times like the 14-major champion he is as he eased within three strokes of leader Jarrod Lyle, who played in considerably easier morning conditions.
“That was exactly how I’ve been hitting it at home,” a relaxed Woods said.
“It was good I was able to take it to the course under these conditions, hit all the shots.
“It’s rewarding to hit it like I have been at home. I’ve been telling you guys I need to take it to the course, and here it is.
“I hung in there, was very patient all day and just took advantages when I could. In these conditions, it’s not easy.
“In these conditions, it’s very easy to make a couple of bogeys in a row. I’m in a good spot.”
Woods hasn’t won in two years, since the 2009 Australian Masters, where he triumphed only days before his personal life fell apart, leading eventually to divorce from wife Elin after revelations of multiple marriage infidelities.
He’s been missing in action this year, apart from a stunning final round charge at the Masters that eventually petered out, but greatness doesn’t suddenly disappear.
Woods wasn’t the best of the strong American contingent though.
That honour belonged to Dustin Johnson and Nick Watney, who both carded 66 to be only one stroke from the lead.
The long-hitting Johnson was brilliant on the back nine, reeling off five straight birdies thanks to a series of precise approach shots that left him with little more than tap-ins.
It could have been even better, because he missed short putts on the 10th and 11th holes.
“Other than that, I did not miss any short ones,” he said. “Most of the birdies I made were tap-ins and I hit a lot of good putts that burned the edge.
“I played really solid all day. I hit a lot of good iron shots. I’m very pleased (although) it always could be a little better.”
Fred Couples, the American captain at next week’s Presidents Cup, showed he can still fire up with a 67, while Bubba Watson joined Woods on 68.
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