Tiger Woods accomplished something he hasn't done in over 2 years
Tiger Woods has a long way to go to get his game to a level where he can compete for another major championship.
But there’s no denying he is playing better than anyone would expect from a 42-year-old golfer who is coming off a fourth surgical procedure on his back.
After missing the cut last week at the Genesis Open near Los Angeles, Woods did something he rarely did even when he was healthy — play in tournaments in back-to-back weeks.
And at this weekend’s Honda Classic in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, he accomplished something he had not done in two years, or 917 days, to be exact — post a sub-70 round in a full-field PGA Tour event.
First round on TOUR in the 60s in 917 days. pic.twitter.com/qOcEN9qUFK
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 24, 2018
Woods shot a 1-under par 69 in Saturday’s third round. He began Sunday’s final round in 11th place, seven shots behind the leader, Luke List.
.@TigerWoods finishes Round 3 of @TheHondaClassic with a birdie and shoots a 1-under 69.#QuickHits pic.twitter.com/ajgxLmBnJl
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 24, 2018
The PGA National course, where this week’s tournament is being held, is the toughest of the three courses Woods has played so far this season.
And while he hasn’t brought the course to its knees like he did with his final-round 62 in 2012, he’s been remarkably steady.
Even though Woods isn’t going to take first place this week, his performance has people starting to believe he’s capable of winning again on Tour, even if its not in a major.
The big reason for the optimism is the fact Woods doesn’t look like a man who has had four back surgeries. In his previous comeback attempts, he appeared tentative. Now, he looks lean and powerful again.
But the rust from his long layoff from competitive golf is evident.
Woods had hit only 36 percent of fairways off the tee heading into this weekend’s event, and only 53 percent of greens in regulation. But his clubhead speed is at a championship level, seemingly erasing any doubts of limitations from his back troubles.
Tiger Woods club head speed has been measured today at 128.42 MPH.
That number would lead the PGA Tour every year since they started keeping track in 2007.
— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGolf) February 24, 2018
Woods hasn’t announced when he’ll play next, although it would seem logical he would want to compete in the Arnold Palmer Invitational, March 15-18. It’s in his home state of Florida, and Woods was always close to Palmer.
With only five Tour events remaining before the Masters, Woods will likely play in at least two before Augusta. And while he won’t be the favorite to win the Masters, his presence will likely be the biggest story of the weekend.
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