News

Tiger Woods opens Hero World Challenge with up-and-down 73

Published

10 years ago

Dec 1, 2016

Any breakdown of Tiger Woods’ first competitive round since the Wyndham Championship in 2015 is relative to expectations. Of course, opinions regarding what would constitute a success for the 14-time major winner in his opening round ranged from “leading the tournament” to “not getting carried off in a gurney.”

Fortunately, with respect to the second extreme mentioned, Woods round was a success. He suffered no apparent issues with his surgically repaired back. And with respect to the first, Woods tied the first-round lead with his birdie at the eighth hole, although that was his high-water mark on the leaderboard.

The easily digestible version of Woods’ opening round: He was 4-under par through eight holes, but he struggled to keep his head above water after that point. He bogeyed two par fives, carding a sloppy double bogey and finding the water with his tee shot at the closing hole en route to another double. Ultimately, Woods finished the day at 1-over, second to last in the field of 18.

With regards to Woods’ full swing, his action looked a little longer and smoother with a little less right side through the ball. We’ll leave the more in-depth analysis to the Tom Stickneys and Dennis Clarks of the world, though. (For his part, Brandel Chamblee found plenty to criticize in Woods’ full swing).

Off the tee, Woods looked to favor the draw but missed left several times, both narrowly (as with his opening tee shot), and more widely (as he did at the 10th, 14th and 18th holes). A few piped drives, such as his bomb at the par-five 15th, were good to see. On his iron approach shots from the fairway and on par-3s, he worked the ball both ways and varied trajectory, showing an encouraging amount of control.

Looking like an assassin in head-to-toe black, Woods’ only real hiccup on the front nine was a flubbed pitch from short of the ninth hole. He stumbled a bit during the middle portion of the round, making two bogeys in three holes from Nos. 9-11, but managed to avert round-derailing disaster until a double-bogey six at the 16th that went all kinds of wrong after a drive that found the fairway.

The WRX audience was no doubt keen to see how Woods would perform with the TaylorMade M2 in the bag, replacing his Nike Vapor Speed Prototype. Likewise, the M1 fairway woods and the 79-time Tour winner’s return to Old Reliable, his Scotty Cameron Newport 2 GSS, which largely served him well.

And, of course, the equipment change that played a starring role in every shot: his switch to the Bridgestone B330s. You look at something like his controlled approach from 96 yards with wedge at No. 7, as well as the roll out on a couple of long early pitches, and you can draw the conclusion that Woods is pretty comfortable with the ball. Certainly he tried to play a variety of approach shots, with largely positive results.

Here’s how TW’s scorecard looked.

But more excitingly, from a visual standpoint, here are the highlights. This tidy pitch from behind the green at the par-five 3rd led to Woods’ first birdie of the round.

That didn’t take long.

Tiger Woods’ chip leads to his first birdie of the year. #QuickHits https://t.co/m9esQ8FLZS

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) December 1, 2016

Woods’ second stellar mid-iron approach on a three-shotter, this at the par-three 12th.

Iron game strong for Tiger Woods. Whew.#QuickHits https://t.co/ERVJy6iMHj

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) December 1, 2016

A beautiful par-saving putt after making a mess of the 298-yard par-4. Woods pulled his drive left into the waste area, went over the green from a hard-packed lie, then hit a sub-standard bunker shot to the fringe.

First Tiger Woods fist pump of the year.#QuickHits https://t.co/uuEAvjv0tw

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) December 1, 2016

And Woods’ assessment of his opening-round 73

“I hit the ball in three bushes and a water ball today. It could have been something really good. I got off to a nice solid start and made a few mistakes there and consequently got it going the wrong way.”

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Ben Alberstadt

Ben Alberstadt is the Editor-in-Chief at GolfWRX, where he’s led editorial direction and gear coverage since 2018. He first joined the site as a freelance writer in 2012 after years spent working in pro shops and bag rooms at both public and private golf courses, experiences that laid the foundation for his deep knowledge of equipment and all facets of this maddening game. Based in Philadelphia, Ben’s byline has also appeared on PGATour.com, Bleacher Report...and across numerous PGA DFS and fantasy golf platforms. Off the course, Ben is a committed cat rescuer and, of course, a passionate Philadelphia sports fan. Follow him on Instagram @benalberstadt.

35 Comments

KEN jOHNSTOM

Dec 2, 2016 at 8:28 pm

There is no doubting that Tiger is amongst the greatest golfers ever and can still entertain and play some excellent shots. However, J.B., Henrik, Hideki, Dustin, Bubba, Rickie, Jordan, Patrick et al do not deserve to be relegated to having us watch only a couple of their putts, whilst we watch replay after replay of the guy who after all finishes second last in the field on the first day . He did well today, but is still in the middle of the pack. Get over him and show us the leaders TODAY please!!!!! I don’t want to watch Tiger mopping his brow or why he chunked a chip to the green for the second or third time, when I can be watching live golf. It was wonderful watching lots of different golfers when he was indisposed. PLEASE get us back to that scenario.

Reply Report comment
Andy C

Dec 2, 2016 at 3:46 pm

Looking at Tiger on TV now, to my eyes, he looks smaller. Maybe he lost some weight/muscle, or maybe wearing a bigger shirt. Less of a body builder like builds will suit him better. Only time will tell, but too much muscle can’t/couldn’t help with flexibility and his back before.

Hope that he will make some noise this year. Always fun to watch him on Sunday late afternoons.

Reply Report comment
Double Mocha Man

Dec 2, 2016 at 2:12 pm

A 65 today! Good for Tiger. I think he’s a more mature, more humble, more cheerful, more human guy these days. Hard not to like the guy again. But when he took off his cap on the 18th the dude’s got quite the bald spot. Happens to the best of us… though not to me.

Reply Report comment
Mongoose

Dec 2, 2016 at 2:05 pm

How many of us have a foundation that gives millions to kids, golf is a game, period…

Reply Report comment
Mongoose

Dec 2, 2016 at 1:41 pm

Who moves the needle more than Tiger, maybe Rory, or Day? Zero Americans… I would love to see Tiger make his competitors melt under his pressure. All the US players have bromances, zero fire… I miss that…

Reply Report comment
You like Dak

Dec 2, 2016 at 1:15 pm

Tiger Woods 79, You ?

Reply Report comment
- 4right
  
  Dec 2, 2016 at 1:18 pm
  
  Tiger haters-Zero
  
  Reply Report comment
Keith

Dec 2, 2016 at 1:00 pm

To everyone bashing tiger please list your top 5 greatest achievements in your life or career and let us compare… Do any of you have majors? Pga tour wins? A billion dollars? Hmmm???? Don’t think so. Since most of us play golf because of this man and his greatness you should all quiet down and be thankful and happy he’s back playing

Reply Report comment
- Rors
  
  Dec 2, 2016 at 1:13 pm
  
  Yes sir!!!
  
  Reply Report comment
TexasSnowman

Dec 2, 2016 at 12:17 pm

As mentioned in the article, I would like to hear from Someone(Tom S?., Dennis C?, Cross field?) other than Brandel on Tigers ‘new swing’…..Brandel seems to think his right elbow is ‘behind him’ too much and he will need to rely too much on timing to be consistent, also that he is too steep, especially in the short game if I heard correctly. His First round was a 73 that should have been a 68; granted he stumbled at the end, but thats gotta be more encouraging that a scrambling 73 that should have been a 77.

Reply Report comment
Rors

Dec 2, 2016 at 11:40 am

Tiger has earned the right, let it happen, and for you all experts out there that can’t break 80, shut up…

Reply Report comment
Smokin' Gun

Dec 2, 2016 at 11:30 am

Let history decide, not some “never was” on the golf channel. The morning drive is bearable only because Gary W, Charlie R, and Chris DM, others are hacks…

Reply Report comment
Looper

Dec 2, 2016 at 11:16 am

Way to many Brandel Chamblees’ in this forum…

Reply Report comment
- Par4
  
  Dec 2, 2016 at 11:24 am
  
  I will admit I’m a huge Tiger “golf” fan. I was glued to my TV yesterday from start to finish. At one point I muted the comments of Mr Chamblee, I get it, that’s what he is paid to do, but really!!! He was over the top critical of Mr Woods play yesterday. Tiger himself can’t live up to tiger of yesteryear, we all are aware of that. But IMO I feel to critique in that fashion you have to be at the level of the person you are talking about. I would understand Jack, or Arnie, maybe Lee, but who in the world is Brandel…
  
  Reply Report comment
Leon

Dec 2, 2016 at 10:51 am

The M1 may serve him better. The M2 has too much draw basis. It is a great club, high launch, low spin, better sound and feel, plus very forgiving. But it is just overly early to turn to the left.

Reply Report comment
Mike Ryan

Dec 2, 2016 at 10:27 am

He’s done!

Reply Report comment
Dat

Dec 2, 2016 at 9:10 am

Fair assessment for once.

Reply Report comment
ooffa

Dec 2, 2016 at 9:00 am

Maybe next week he can play in an event with only 10 players. That way he can have a top ten showing in at least one tournament this year.

Reply Report comment
Bert

Dec 2, 2016 at 8:53 am

Interesting until he went south. Hope he plays well and not chunk another chip as he did yesterday He’s not in last place and only 1-shot behind many others. My bet is he’ll finish in the middle of the pack.

Reply Report comment
Double Mocha Man

Dec 1, 2016 at 11:01 pm

Hey… Tiger beat the Olympic Gold Medalist.

Reply Report comment
Guia

Dec 1, 2016 at 10:05 pm

Not a great day and he has always been renowned for erratic driver play. A 73 after a 16 month layoff from competition isn’t that bad for the first day. The field has only 18 players and he is in 17th place. However, he is only 1 stroke worse than: Bubba Watson E F E 72 — — — 72
T12 —
Brandt Snedeker E F E 72 — — — 72
T12 —
Zach Johnson E F E 72 — — — 72
T12 —
Patrick Reed E F E 72 — — — 72
T12 —
Brooks Koepka E F E 72 — — — 72
17 —
Tiger Woods 1 F 1 73 — — — 73
18 —
Justin Rose 2 F 2 74 — — — 74

Guys that have been playing regularly. Not a bad showing, he had I think 2 balls in the water and 1 unplayable lie and still managed a 1 over par.

I assume that there is no cut, it should be very interesting how he finishes out the week. If he could get to the middle of the pack I would consider it a very successful start.

I think we are all waiting to see how long physically he can endure. Anyone notice how lean he looked?

Reply Report comment
- Uhit
  
  Dec 2, 2016 at 5:18 am
  
  I´m surprised how well he started the front nine…
  …and I guess, he was just to nervous to keep this level up.
  
  He probably has to learn (mentally) to accept, that he can compete successfully again.
  
  Great to see him smile again!
  
  Reply Report comment
erlybrd

Dec 1, 2016 at 10:01 pm

The game of golf will go on with or without Tiger. It had its moments in the sun with the rise of Tiger Woods, but it is now time to be in the shadows with other “sports” such as bowling and billiard.
It is a great game whether it’s cool or not, or with or without Tiger Woods.

Reply Report comment
The Truth

Dec 1, 2016 at 9:35 pm

I agree Steve. Tiger is going to keep on stinking up the joint until the back goes. I can’t wait to hear the excuses. Tiger is going down, like the syndrome.

Reply Report comment
- Tal
  
  Dec 2, 2016 at 4:29 am
  
  The lack of respect for Tiger as a golfer from some people is incredible. He’s a hall of game golfer who has had multiple surgeries and yet people choose to belittle his achievements by attacking his swing and his recent form. There’s never any consideration for how mentally tough it must be to see this level of decline in your game and how frustrating it must be to come under constant fire, especially when idiots like you talk about him as if he has no right to be out there!
  
  Reply Report comment
  - satch_boogie
    
    Dec 2, 2016 at 1:26 pm
    
    Totally agree with this. Arguably the best player ever to play. I want to see him out there playing.
    
    Reply Report comment
  - Double Mocha Man
    
    Dec 2, 2016 at 2:15 pm
    
    I think for most people the lack of respect comes from his cheating on his wife 100’s of times. Few people, self included, disrespect his golf game.
    
    Reply Report comment
- skip
  
  Dec 2, 2016 at 10:25 am
  
  wow. classy.
  
  Reply Report comment
Den

Dec 1, 2016 at 7:00 pm

I would think Tiger has herd all he wants to hear about the golf swing…after 79 tour wins I would think it is time for all “Instructors” to just drop it…if Tigers swing does not do it for him so what, he has already gained status as one of the best to ever play the game.

Reply Report comment
- Tony L
  
  Dec 1, 2016 at 7:34 pm
  
  Totally agree. All the stinking experts no one has even heard come out of the blue when Tiger tees it up.
  
  Reply Report comment
Golfbuddy

Dec 1, 2016 at 6:01 pm

He’s not, and nobody expected him to be, the same player he was, pre-injuries. Given the media microscope on him, and the changes he had to make, he did pretty well. I hope he’s around for the final day.

Reply Report comment
Patricknorm

Dec 1, 2016 at 4:45 pm

Regardless of what you think of Tiger it’s kind of inspiring to see an athlete that was clearly the most dominant in golf, fallen because of multiple back surgeries, play some decent golf today. He seemed to be sweating profusely not because of the heat, but because he was churning inside. Still a really up,and down round but given his injury history, I’d take a plus one result any day.
Like the announcers said many times , Tiger is the needle.

Reply Report comment
alexdub

Dec 1, 2016 at 4:42 pm

Considering he was sweating like he was on day two of a detox, +1 isn’t that bad.

Reply Report comment
- Boobsy McKiss
  
  Dec 2, 2016 at 12:21 am
  
  LOL. I did notice the sweat pouring off his grill. Were the other competitors sweating as much?
  
  Reply Report comment
- Par4
  
  Dec 2, 2016 at 11:34 am
  
  I noticed that also, wow looked like he went thru a car wash at times…
  
  Reply Report comment

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Tour Photo Galleries

Photos from the 2026 Memorial Tournament

Published

2 days ago

Jun 1, 2026

GolfWRX Staff

GolfWRX is on site this week at the Memorial Tournament, with both Alistair Cameron and Tour Photographer Greg Moore on the ground in Dublin, Ohio, where a strong field is assembled to pay homage to the Golden Bear.

In addition to WITB galleries, we’ve already been treated to an in-hand look at Tommy Fleetwood’s new TaylorMade Spider putters.

Check out links to all our photos below.

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News

Tour Tech Rundown: Heroic Henley

Published

2 days ago

Jun 1, 2026

Ronald Montesano

Around the world, the golf wheel spun this final week in May of 2026. From New Jersey to Austria, with stops in Korea, Texas, and North Carolina (don’t let me route your next trip) the world’s finest put their golf games on display. There were three playoffs, some known commodities and some new talent. It was the sort of week that we hope to have at this point in the seasons. June and July afford double-digit major events, and perhaps, one of this week’s champions will use this success as a springboard to new heights. Time to run it all down, tech style, in this week’s Tour Tech Rundown.

Thanks to WITBHub, Today’s Golfer, GolfWRX, and Inside Tour Golf for initial research into equipment.

PGA Tour @ Charles Schwab Challenge: Heroic Henley denies Cole

Eric Cole did nearly everything that a fellow can do, to secure a first PGA Tour title. He stayed one shot clear of Ryder Cup player Ben Griffin. He kept US Open champion Gary Woodland and wunderkind Michael Brennan two shots distant. He posted 70 on day four to reach twelve under par. And then, Russell Henley revealed his Dr. Strange cloak. Henley made 47 feet of birdie putts on holes 16, 17, and 18, to jump from minus-nine to twelve-deep, and secured a spot in a playoff with Cole. The duo returned to the final tee, and put on a stripe show.

Both golfers found the fairway off the tee, and Henley improved on his regulation play with an approach to four feet. Cole did himself proud, tucking an iron to a dozen feet, but he was unable to convert the putt for three. Henley is one of the best putters on tour, and he proved it once more by draining a putt for a fourth consecutive birdie, and a sixth PGA Tour title. For Eric Cole, that first victory should come, and soon. He has done everything necessary to earn the chalice lift.

Henley’s Suitcase

Driver: Titleist TSi3 at 10 degrees. Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black 70g 6.5 TX
Metal: Titleist TS3 at 16.5 degrees. Shaft: Project X HZRDUS Smoke Black 80 TX
Hybrid: Titleist TSi2 at 21 degrees. Shaft: Mitsubishi MMT hybrid 100 TX
Iron: Titleist T250 4-iron. Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Golf AMT Tour White X100
Irons: Titleist T100 5-6 irons. Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Golf AMT Tour White X100
Irons: Titleist T100 7-9 irons. Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue X100
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM11 at 48 and 50 degrees. Shaft: True Temper Dynamic Golf Tour Issue X100
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM11 at 54 and 60 degrees. Shaft: rue Temper Dynamic Golf Tour Issue S400
Putter: Titleist Scotty Cameron T5 Tour Prototype

LPGA @ Shoprite LPGA: Welcome back, Celine!

Soo Bin Joo had her eyes on a maiden LPGA title. She held the lead after two rounds, then hit a red light at the intersection of can-I and how-To. Joo posted plus-two on day three in New Jersey, and dropped to a T4 finish, which was still a career-best for the young Korean golfer. Instead of a new face, a familiar face returned to the top of the podium.

Celine Boutier was the It Girl in 2023. She collected four victories, including a major title at Evian. Boutier reached world number one status, then simply faded into the background. No wins came her way over the next 30 months. On Sunday, she collected LPGA victory number seven, at the same trace as LPGA victory number two.

Day three saw Boutier manage the windswept Seaview Bay course with six birdies and a bogey. She was challenged in the end by Thailand’s Arpichaya Yubol, who signed for a 66 of her own. Yubol came up one shot shy of the top ladder rung. Finishing in third place at -7, two back of the winner, was Ireland’s Lauren Walsh.

Celine’s Suitcase

Driver: PXG 0311 Black Ops Tour-1 at 9 degrees. Shaft: Graphite Design AD IZ-5
Hybrid: PXG 0311 Black Ops at 19 and 22 degrees. Shaft: KBS Hybrid Prototype
Hybrid: PXG 0311 Gen5.
Iron: PXG 0311 P Gen 4 5-9 irons
Wedge: PXG 0311 T Gen 4 PW
Wedges: PXG 0311 Sugar Daddy II at 50, 54, 58 degrees
Putter: Bettinardi Studio Stock 3 DASS

DP World Tour @ Austrian Alpine: KK? KK!

Kota Kaneko has a rhythmic name. It has strong vowels and a run of voiceless stops in its crunchy K sounds. On Sunday in Austria, Kaneko put a stop to a challenge from Portugal’s Ricardo Gouveia and everyone else, and claimed a first-ever title on the DP World Tour. Gouveia did well to reach 16-under par over four days, but Kaneko held firm, two shots in the clear.

Davis Bryant of the USA also forged a strong challenge for the win. He ended in a tie with Gouveia for second place. Kaneko began and finished his final round in a bit of a malaise, but he caught fire midway through. Birdies at 10, 12, and 13 provided the necessary cushion to cruise to the finish line without breaking a serious sweat.

Kaneko’s Suitcase

Driver: Ping Max G440
Metals: TaylorMade Qi4D at 15, 16.5, 21, and 24 degrees
Irons: TaylorMade P760 5 and 6 irons
Irons: TaylorMade P7TW 7-9 irons
Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design at 46, 52, 56, and 60 degrees
Putter: Odyssey Ai-One Cruiser Arm Lock #7

Korn Ferry Tour @ UNC Health Championship: Improbably Alvaro

Alvaro Ortiz may have had a bit of scare on the outward nine on Sunday, but he came through in clutch fashion in the end. Ortiz began the day bogey-double, and added another double bogey at the 11th hole. He was mired in a downward trend, spiraling away from the top of the leader’s board. Ortiz found hope at the 14th, where his first birdie of the day tumbled home. Inspired, he closed with birdies and 17 and 18 to catch Ross Steelman at 10-under par, and the duo returned to the 18th deck for overtime.

The extra session concluded in brief time. Ortiz, buoyed by his newly-retrieved confidence, hit the fairway with driver, then approached to six feet and drained the putt. Gobsmacked, Steelman could do little more than smile and applaud, as his run at the top came to a close. The victory was the first for Ortiz on the KFT, and will implant him squarely in the chase for a PGA Tour promotion.

Alvaro’s Suitcase

Driver: Ping G430 MAX driver at 9 degrees loft
Metal: Ping G430 MAX 3W
Iron: Ping iDi Driving Iron
Irons: Ping Blueprint S irons
Wedges
Putter: Scottsdale TR Piper C

A party on the green!

Alvaro’s time comes in Raleigh with his first win @UNCHealthChamp ? pic.twitter.com/2dmtZdbSzk

— Korn Ferry Tour (@KornFerryTour) May 31, 2026

LIV @ Korea: Me llamo Joaquin

Chile’s Joaquin Niemann had been away from the LIV winner’s circle throughout all of 2026. This week in Korea, he reminded us that he is still a force to consider. Niemann chased down Taylor Gooch over the closing holes at Asiad Country Club, then claimed victory with a hole-one birdie in extra time. Bryson DeChambeau claimed solo third, one shot in arrears at minus-eleven. Dustin Johnson finished on fourth, one putt farther back.

Niemann’s Suitcase