Fifteen time major winner tiger woods is back playing competitive golf, and having fun while doing it.
Woods played in his first competitive round in seven months on Thursday at the Genesis Invitational, shooting a 2-under 69 to finish the day five shots behind the leaders.
Tiger Woods and Justin Thomas cross the ninth hole during the Genesis Invitational at Riviera Country Club on February 16, 2023 in Pacific Palisades, California. (Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images)
Woods played alongside Rory McIlroy and his good friend justin thomas on Thursday, and cameras appear to have caught Woods taunting his younger playing partner.
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On the ninth tee, Woods outplayed Thomas, going 323 yards off the tee to Thomas’ 313.
And the 47-year-old man let the 29-year-old know.
After the round, McIlroy, who shot a 4-under 67, said he was going to do some work on the range after Woods outplayed him throughout.
«I’m going to work on the range. I put my driver one click lofted at the beginning of the week, I may have to lower it back down,» McIlroy said, according to USA Today Sports. «I don’t like being hit.»
Tiger Woods and Justin Thomas at the Genesis Invitational on February 16, 2023. (Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images)
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Woods finished his day Thursday with a bang, sinking birdie putts on the final three holes, and will enter the second round tied with 16 other golfers at 2 under par.
«I didn’t want to be the idiot host who missed it in front of everyone after going birdie-birdie,» Woods said of his birdie putt at number 18, according to ESPN. «It was a great round.»
Tiger Woods and Justin Thomas watch the eighth hole during the first round of the Genesis Invitational on February 16, 2023. (Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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Max Homa and Keith Mitchell sit down at the top of the ranking at 5 under par, with Jon Rahm, Matt Kuchar and Collin Morikawa not far behind.
Woods will tee off at 10:24 am ET on Friday along with Thomas and McIlroy.