Tiger Woods may indeed be a cat with nine lives.
Not dishonesty, infidelity or irresponsibility can keep our most popular golfer from losing any of his enormous appeal… about 17 months after a car accident, in which he was speeding and driving recklessly, and was charged for neither.
Despite saying his doctors told him they might have to amputate his mangled right leg in the downhill crash in California, Woods returned to the PGA Tour a full year ahead of schedule at, where else, the Masters. The owner of five green jackets didn’t play a competitive round unless you count a charming father-son event.
Thursday, he walked 18 holes and all the hills of Augusta National and shot a one-under par 71. Well-known PGA pros like Bryson DeChambeau, Louis Oosthuizen, Justin Thomas and Justin Rose, all healthy and hearty stars of the game, were five shots behind Tiger.
Aside from a slight limp that got noticeably worse as the round went on, Woods looked more like a 46-year-old version of his greater self than an older, injured has-been. He is not quite as long off the tee, or accurate after missing 10 fairways, but his short game was up-and-down good enough to salvage enough pars to keep him on pace.
He made three birdies, the last one on the tough No. 17 par four with a long curling putt that went in dead center. It elicited his only fist pump of the day that will surely get more demonstrative in the rounds to follow as he tries to make the cut and then win a sixth sport coat that you wouldn’t wear except for at various Masters events.
The big question, as commentators wondered, was whether Woods would go back to the range to work on parts of his game he didn’t like, or report immediately to his doctor, trainer, massage therapist and girlfriend… in that order.
He finished an amazing three shots behind leader Cameron Smith, close enough to command another gargantuan gallery and get him to the weekend. His last Masters in 2020, he finished 38th.
How Tiger feels in the morning is the big question. He has an afternoon tee time, so there are plenty of hours to get ready for a second grueling day on the links, hoping it is not a good walk spoiled. His millions of fans wouldn’t want that, good for him or not.
Featured image via Associated Press/Charlie Riedel
Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our biweekly newsletter.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe:
Related Stories
‹
This is Tourism: Holidays in Orange CountyAs Orange County gears up for another holiday season, Lauri Paolicelli – executive director with the Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors Bureau – has quite a few suggestions for locals and visitors alike to get the most out of their seasonal celebrations around town. Covering gifts from shipping Sunrise Biscuit Kitchen biscuits in the mail nationwide […]
This is Tourism: Andrew StricklandThis week on “This is Tourism,” Ron speaks to Andrew Strickland, general manager at the AC Hotel by Marriott. This new four-story 123-room hotel in downtown Chapel Hill offers a “frictionless hotel experience,” modern luxury in the form of “European-style” lodgings and pairs boutique amenities such as a breakfast bar equipped with hand-sliced prosciutto with […]
This is Tourism: Muriel WillimanMuriel Williman, Solid Waste Education and Outreach Coordinator for Orange County Government, has been working for the past 17 years to reduce waste throughout the Triangle. Through teaching and modeling principles of integrated solid waste management, source reduction, reuse, recycling and composting and leading local special events in zero-waste practices, Williman works to embed zero-waste practices […]
![]()
This is Tourism: Que TuckerQue Tucker, Commissioner of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association, has dedicated her life to serving the students of North Carolina. She’s spent time as a teacher, a coach and her career at the NCHSAA spans well over two decades. Since 2015, Tucker has been in charge of the 417-member school Association that is […]
![]()
LIV Golf's Days Might Be Numbered. What Does That Mean for the Sport? – Stroman on Sports (May 1, 2026)The Hill's Dr. Deborah Stroman and Brighton McConnell chat on Friday, May 1, and talk some golf in the wake of the news around LIV Golf.
Chansky's Notebook: 'Never One Like It'It's time for the U.S. Open — and it is also the 25th anniversary of Payne Stewart’s legendary win at Pinehurst.
Chansky's Notebook: Common DenominatorIt is no coincidence that two terrific UNC programs used their new home facilities to recruit great players and win trophies.
Chansky's Notebook: Unquirky FinleyArt Chansky’s Sports Notebook is presented by The Casual Pint. YOUR place for delicious pub food paired with local beer. Choose among 35 rotating taps and 200+ beers in the cooler. The new Finley Golf Course should be worth the wait. It cost $13-plus million dollars, all paid by Rams Club donors from four gifts […]
Chansky's Notebook: The Claret JuggleThe big names are at the Old Course, but their games are not. Finally, the The Open no longer has the adjective “British” in front of it because arrogant Americans concede that the game was invented somewhere else like Europe, where the 150th “Open” begins today at perhaps the most famous 18 holes on the […]
Chansky's Notebook: New Tiger TaleTiger Woods may indeed be a cat with nine lives. Not dishonesty, infidelity or irresponsibility can keep our most popular golfer from losing any of his enormous appeal… about 17 months after a car accident, in which he was speeding and driving recklessly, and was charged for neither. Despite saying his doctors told him they […]
›
