Tiger Woods at 2017 Hero World Challenge: Round 1 Live Updates, Score and Highlights

Invalid DateAlbany, Bahamas
David Kenyon

Tiger Woods shot a three-under-par 69 during his return to the course Thursday at the 2017 Hero World Challenge in Albany, Bahamas. Woods, who last played in February, carded five birdies on the day. While his short game occasionally flared as an issue and he would've liked to capitalize on par fives more often, Woods putted particularly well. He ended the round three shots behind the clubhouse leader, Tommy Fleetwood. Woods will return to course Friday for Round 2 of the 18-man tournament, which also features Jordan Spieth, Dustin Johnson and Rickie Fowler.

  1. November 30, 2017

  2. Clock Icon9:24 pm

    Tiger Woods Shoots 69 in Hero World Challenge Round 1 in Return from Back Injury

    Tiger Woods Shoots 69 in Hero World Challenge Round 1 in Return from Back Injury
    Tiger Woods at Hero World Challenge Round 1 2017-11-30

    Tiger Woods Shoots 69 in Hero World Challenge Round 1 in Return from Back Injury

    Adam Wells
    via Adam Wells

  3. Clock Icon9:14 pm

    Round 1 Card

    PGA TOUR @PGATOUR

    Welcome back, @TigerWoods. 🐯 A look at Tiger's 18-hole scorecard for Round 1 of the Hero World Challenge. https://t.co/nmcnHVmjNG

  4. Clock Icon9:33 pm

    Tiger's Impression of His Return

    PGA TOUR @PGATOUR

    "For me, I thought I did great." @TigerWoods breaks down his first competitive round back in 10 months. https://t.co/18n8WFHbLR

  5. Invalid Date
  6. November 30, 2017

  7. Clock Icon9:08 pm

    Opening-Round Stats

    GC Tiger Tracker @GCTigerTracker

    Stats for the day - 7 of 13 fairways, 11 of 18 greens and 27 total putts.

  9. Clock Icon9:07 pm

    Commendable Day for Tiger

    Overall, it was a fine performance.

    Woods will probably discuss his lack of success on scoring holes and a little bit of trouble with his short game. However, Tiger's putting saved several shots in his first competitive round since February.

    PGA TOUR @PGATOUR

    That'll do it. @TigerWoods opens with a 69 in his first competitive round back in 301 days. #QuickHits https://t.co/zNNCGEsFqR

  10. Clock Icon9:05 pm

    Tiger's 1st Round Complete

    He walks in a par to wrap up a three-under 69.

    Justin Ray @JustinRayGC

    Tiger Woods: 69 (-3), his 1st opening round in the 60s in 834 days (2015 Wyndham).

  11. Clock Icon8:58 pm

    Tiger Looking to Finish Strong

    Robert Lusetich @RobertLusetich

    Huge that he hit that 18th fairway. +6 on this hole last year. Water left, garbage right has never been a good mix for TW. #TigersBack

  12. Clock Icon8:55 pm

    Par Heading into 18

    Tiger barely shorted his first shot on 17, but he drops in another par to reach the final hole at three-under-par.

    Josh Berhow @Josh_Berhow

    Tiger said earlier this week he's still getting used to his distance control. Looks like he hits a good iron on the par-3 17th but it comes up short of the green.

  13. Clock Icon8:43 pm

    Par 5s Tell the Story

    Woods struggled today on Par-5s, finishing one-over with one birdie, two pars and two bogeys.

    Comparatively, Fleetwood carded three birdies and two pars. It's not a coincidence he leads the tournament.

  15. Clock Icon8:48 pm

    Ben Everill @BEverillPGATOUR

    Driver for @TigerWoods goes right again... but not so bad if you do this.... right over the flag to 16feet. Sadly unable to covert birdie. Stays -3 with 2 to play. https://t.co/AaRHsH9z92

  16. Clock Icon8:32 pm

    Woods Gives One Back

    Bob Harig @BobHarig

    A bogey at the par-5 15th... and Tiger plays the 5 par-5s in 1 over -- which is obviously an area where he will need to improve

  17. Clock Icon8:26 pm

    GC Tiger Tracker @GCTigerTracker

    He took a drop, not a good one and could only muster a “suh-weeet.”

  18. Clock Icon8:17 pm

    Doug Ferguson @dougferguson405

    The Tiger Woods search party on 15. https://t.co/nfXHMnCRf4

  19. Clock Icon8:15 pm

    Some Trouble on 15

    Ben Everill @BEverillPGATOUR

    Whoops. @TigerWoods first bad tee shot goes way right. Provisional ball out.

  21. Clock Icon8:09 pm

    🔥 He's on Fire 🔥

    Only Fowler and Fleetwood have better scores so far.

    PGA TOUR @PGATOUR

    Back-to-back birdies. 🐦 🐦 @TigerWoods is one shot off the lead at the Hero World Challenge. #QuickHits https://t.co/4HSBUi7E0M

  22. Clock Icon8:36 pm

    Tap-in Birdie? The Best

    Make it -4 for Woods.

    He'll be one shot behind the leader.

    I'm not freaking out, you are.

  23. Clock Icon7:58 pm

    Moving on Up

    Woods knocks home his fourth birdie of the afternoon.

    PGA TOUR @PGATOUR

    ‼️ Two back ‼️ #QuickHits https://t.co/yMgUtxcAWK

  24. Clock Icon7:53 pm

    GC Tiger Tracker @GCTigerTracker

    Drive is left but overall have been impressed by the way he’s hitting it off the tee. No crazy shots. Nothing wildly off line.

  25. Clock Icon7:48 pm

    Woods Hangs on Again

    There haven't been many real birdie opportunities in a while. On the bright side for Tiger, he's saved par each time except on No. 9.

    Ben Everill @BEverillPGATOUR

    Chipping and putting saves him on 12. Nice par save.

  27. Clock Icon7:43 pm

    Leaderboard Update

    Kevin Chappell leads the 18-man field with a five-under score through 15 holes. Woods is three shots back.

  28. Clock Icon7:36 pm

    Jason Sobel @JasonSobelESPN

    Tiger almost chips it through the green. Then almost putts it off the green. Saves par.

  29. Clock Icon7:31 pm

    Tiger Looking to Save Par

    Last time we said this, he buried a long putt.

    But with a 35-footer coming back, finishing with a five on 11 is no problem.

    GC Tiger Tracker @GCTigerTracker

    Not great but safe. Blows it 35 fee past for fear of another chunk.

  30. Clock Icon7:22 pm

    Great Start at 11

    Robert Lusetich @RobertLusetich

    The tee flips straight back after #TigerWoods hits driver. Smokes it dead straight. By far best thing so far is his tee game #TigersBack

  31. Clock Icon7:16 pm

    Tiger Gets It Back

    PGA TOUR @PGATOUR

    A bounce-back birdie. @TigerWoods gets back to (-2) with a birdie on No. 10. #QuickHits https://t.co/hZ7GsJwZUn

  33. Clock Icon7:10 pm

    Doug Ferguson @dougferguson405

    Tiger out in 35. Took 4 to get down from 30’ on 9. Stubbed chip and 3 putts. First dropped shot. First expletive. Lot of firsts when you haven’t played in awhile.

  34. Clock Icon7:05 pm

    PGA TOUR @PGATOUR

    Tiger's first hiccup of the day comes on No. 9. He bogeys to finish his front nine (-1). #QuickHits https://t.co/5EKfP5Yaw3

  35. Clock Icon7:01 pm

    Short Game an Obstacle

    Woods has chunked both of his chips today.

    Jason Sobel @JasonSobelESPN

    Nine holes, two chunky chips for Tiger.

  36. Clock Icon6:55 pm

    Tiger Smashing the Ball

    Questions about his health are going to linger, but this opening nine sure is encouraging.

    Justin Ray @JustinRayGC

    Tiger's measured ball speed off the tee at 9 was 178 MPH. That number would have ranked 19th on Tour last season, between JB Holmes and Adam Scott.

  37. Clock Icon6:49 pm

    Birdie No. 2

    Woods is now two shots behind the leader, Tommy Fleetwood.

    PGA TOUR @PGATOUR

    A birdie and another fist pump! @TigerWoods is (-2) as he makes his way to No. 9 at the Hero World Challenge. #QuickHits https://t.co/N0yrUMEYsI

  39. Clock Icon6:47 pm

    Forget That Par

    Nevermind! Woods comfortably rolls in a 25-footer for his second birdie of the day.

  40. Clock Icon6:46 pm

    Not the Best Spot on 8

    He could be looking at a par here.

    GC Tiger Tracker @GCTigerTracker

    Yelling at it to stay. Just on right edge. A par 3.

  41. Clock Icon6:37 pm

    John Daly @PGA_JohnDaly

    Great seeing Tiger back in action he’s definitely great for the game of golf! Wishing @TigerWoods nothing but the best of luck! @TGRLiveEvents 🏆#HeroWorldChallenge

  42. Clock Icon6:33 pm

    Ryan Lavner @RyanLavnerGC

    Pretty healthy rip for a guy with a fused lower back: https://t.co/0v3A3BvGmM

  43. Clock Icon6:26 pm

    Woods Unleashes One

    It's a playable shot, but the bigger point is Tiger held nothing back while trying to drive the green.

    Steve Elling @EllingYelling

    Tiger Woods takes a huge rip with driver in attempt to drive the downwind, 340-yard seventh green. Finds greenside bunker. That was 100% full bore.

  45. Clock Icon6:20 pm

    Justin Ray @JustinRayGC

    Tiger through 6 holes (-1) 1 birdie, 0 bogeys 2/4 fairways 5/6 GIR 1/1 scrambling 10 putts (11, but 1 was from off putting surface)

  46. Clock Icon6:16 pm

    Another Close Miss

    Woods has played well so far, but he'll likely point out some of the putts he's missed early in this round.

    GC Tiger Tracker @GCTigerTracker

    Looking at a 20 footer for birdie here at 6. Scoots past the hole. Should be a par, but a little meat left on the bone.

  47. Clock Icon6:09 pm

    Tiger's New Swing

    It's not as violent as it was in the past, which hopefully will reduce the amount of back troubles he's experienced.

    Ben Everill @BEverillPGATOUR

    Some slow mo @TigerWoods on 5 https://t.co/lONOhkxmvb

  48. Clock Icon6:04 pm

    Aren't We All?

    Michael Phelps @MichaelPhelps

    Pumped to be watching @TigerWoods back out there!!!

  49. Clock Icon6:02 pm

    Par at 5

    GC Tiger Tracker @GCTigerTracker

    Scares the hole. Easy two putt. Remains 1 under.

  51. Clock Icon5:56 pm

    Hero World Challenge Leaderboard

    There are, in fact, 17 other golfers competing. Jordan Spieth and Matt Kuchar are the final players on the course.

    So far, Rickie Fowler leads the way at -3. Dustin Johnson is among those one shot back, and Woods sits at -1.

  52. Clock Icon5:51 pm

    Golf Channel @GolfChannel

    🚨 TIGER FIST PUMP ALERT 🚨 https://t.co/szKw7IBBFZ

  53. Clock Icon5:49 pm

    Oh, He's Back!

    Ben Everill @BEverillPGATOUR

    First fist pump! @TigerWoods makes big par save after chunked chip.

  54. Clock Icon5:48 pm

    Stephen Curry @StephenCurry30

    The wait is over. The wait is over. @TigerWoods

  55. Clock Icon5:42 pm

    Chirp, Chirp

    PGA TOUR @PGATOUR

    That didn't take long. @TigerWoods is in with birdie at No. 3 to move to (-1). #QuickHits https://t.co/Xu1CVvtEhY

  57. Clock Icon5:38 pm

    In the Red Numbers

    Bob Harig @BobHarig

    First birdie is a routine 2-putt. #Tiger

  58. Clock Icon5:34 pm

    Scoring Chance!

    PGA TOUR @PGATOUR

    260 yards. 2-iron. Eagle putt coming up for @TigerWoods. #QuickHits https://t.co/L0WOV5Z6Ls

  59. Clock Icon5:31 pm

    Big Drive on 3

    Woods outdrives Thomas and has approximately 260 yards remaining to the pin at the par-5.

  60. Clock Icon5:25 pm

    Par on 2

    Tiger has been in position for birdies on both holes.

    GC Tiger Tracker @GCTigerTracker

    Just missed left. Great roll. Two opening pars work though.

  61. Clock Icon5:18 pm

    Sean Zak @Sean_Zak

    Tiger said it during his pro-am yesterday: "If I drive the ball well, I'll have wedges into most holes." FW: ☑️ Wedge: ☑️ Birdie putt slips by. Par on the first.

  63. Clock Icon5:15 pm

    Birdie Putt on the Way

    PGA TOUR @PGATOUR

    He's on in two. A birdie putt coming up for @TigerWoods on No. 1 at the Hero World Challenge. #QuickHits https://t.co/3EJjIB7V3G

  64. Clock Icon5:14 pm

    Fortunate Bounce, but Smoked

    Jason Sobel @JasonSobelESPN

    First tee shot for Tiger Woods in 301 days: In the fairway -- and about 30 yards past Justin Thomas.

  65. Clock Icon5:08 pm

    PGA TOUR @PGATOUR

    And he's back! For the first time in 10 months, @TigerWoods has returned to competitive golf. https://t.co/FaZMpTlhLs

  66. Clock Icon5:06 pm

    Now on the Tee...

    Tiger Woods.

    He's back.

  67. Clock Icon5:02 pm

    Randall Mell @RandallMellGC

    .@TrevorImmelman: "There's a side of me that got absolutely obliterated by Tiger Woods, that wants him to bring some of that pain to the current group of players. This group are tremendous athletes...I just hope it's not too late."

  69. Clock Icon4:54 pm

    GC Tiger Tracker @GCTigerTracker

    He looks comfortable. No stress. Smoking driver right now. 20 minutes till liftoff.

  70. Clock Icon4:46 pm

    All Black.

    Jeff Babineau @GolfweekBabz

    .@TigerWoods dressed all in black, white shoes, white belt, marking up golf balls for the first time in a long time. One hour out. #HeroWorldChallenge https://t.co/qQ5SD9YEsC

  71. Clock Icon4:42 pm

    Woods and the Art of the Optimistic Comeback

    Woods and the Art of the Optimistic Comeback
    Tiger Woods at Hero World Challenge Round 1 2017-11-30

    Woods and the Art of the Optimistic Comeback

    Victor Mather
    via Nytimes

  72. Clock Icon3:31 pm

    🎥 Woods Make Eagle(!) After Driving Green(!) at Pro-Am

    🎥 Woods Make Eagle(!) After Driving Green(!) at Pro-Am
    Tiger Woods at Hero World Challenge Round 1 2017-11-30

    🎥 Woods Make Eagle(!) After Driving Green(!) at Pro-Am

    Alex Myers
    via Golf Digest