Tiger Woods had a rough start to his British Open campaign, shooting an eight-over-par 79 in the first round at Royal Troon. The three-time champion blamed his performance on a lack of playing time, opting to save himself for the major tournaments after a limited schedule following his 2021 car crash.
Woods’ round was riddled with errors. He recorded six bogeys, two double bogeys, and just two birdies. His struggles were evident from the start. Despite an initial birdie on the third hole, Woods bogeyed the fourth, followed by a double bogey on the fifth. He continued to falter on the front nine, adding two more bogeys.
A lone birdie on the back nine provided a brief glimmer of hope, but it was quickly extinguished by another double bogey on the sixth and a bogey on the 12th. He finished the round with two more bogeys, highlighting a frustrating day on the course.
Woods admitted that he didn’t play well, particularly with his irons and putting. He even acknowledged making three three-putts during the round. He highlighted the need for a significant improvement in his performance if he wants to make the weekend cut, stating that he needs to shoot something in the mid-60s on Friday.
Despite the difficult start, Woods remains optimistic about his chances. He emphasized his commitment to continue playing as long as he believes he can compete for wins. However, he also acknowledged that he may have been overly optimistic about his readiness for the season and needs to focus on improving his physical condition through more gym work.
