Story By: Erin Zollars
Photos By: Sol Tucker
Newtown Square, PA–
Sometimes comebacks are just so.. well average, then there is a Tiger Woods comeback. He not only shot the second best opening round of his career, he is tied with Rory McIlroy at -9 in the opening round of the BMW Championship.
Playing alongside Rickie Fowler and Jordan Spieth, Woods made four birdies and an eagle to fire his lowest nine-hole score on the PGA Tour since the second round of the 2007 Tour Championship, when Woods shot 7-under 28 on the front nine. Woods won by eight shots that year at East Lake.
Biggest notes of the day for Tiger was that he holded birdie putts of 13, 10 and 4 feet. He dropped a Eagle on the par-5 16th after his second shot landed at 5 feet from the pin.
Perhaps more people should boycott Nike, as his Nike friend Rory McIlroy set the course on fire and is tied at the top with Woods.
McIlroy started on the back nine today as did Tiger and was three under through his first four holes. Then when he made the turn to front, he set it on fire with five straight birdies on Number 1 to 5. He did muff the seventh and eighth holes sent him from being one shot ahead of Woods to one behind. But for Woods he welcomes the challenge of someone being right there.
“It was a great day out there today,” said Woods. “It was a little more challenging in this heat, but I am glad I was able to make it work with the putter today.”
“I made a few putts today, right out of the gate at 10 and 11, “said Woods. “Shooting 29 on the front nine helps. It was nice to post a good round today and we go off early tomorrow, so it’ll be a quick turnaround.”
Some notable stats for Woods’ finish today and others in his career.
Lowest 9-hole scores for @TigerWoods
2007: @PlayoffFinale – 28
1996: Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals Classic – 29
1997: @ATTByronNelson – 29
1999: @ATTByronNelson – 29
2006: @WGCMexico – 29
2018: @BMWChamps – 29
