[PGA Championship] Woods 4 Over Par on Day One "Cut Off Risk"..."Why Are Iron Shots Like This?"

‘The Returned Golf Emperor’ Tiger Woods is making an iron shot at the 9th hole on the first day of the PGA Championship. Tulsa, USA = Getty Images / Multibits

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] "Three birdies and seven bogeys for a 4-over par."

This is the first-day scorecard of the 'Returned Golf Emperor' Tiger Woods (USA) at his second major of the season, the PGA Championship. On the 20th (Korean time) at Southern Hills Golf Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma (par 70, 7,365 yards), he struggled to a 4-over par and fell outside the top 100. After finishing 47th at the Masters last month, he focused on practice rounds while weighing his participation in this tournament. Southern Hills attracted even more spotlight because, unlike Augusta National, it is a flat course.

This is because his leg condition is still not fully recovered. Last February, he suffered severe injuries, including fractures in both legs, in a car accident in Los Angeles, California, and spent three months bedridden, followed by a long rehabilitation process involving wheelchairs and crutches. In fact, completing the Masters was big news. He said, "Since the Masters, I have only taken one day off," and expressed determination, saying, "My legs are gradually getting stronger, and winning is possible."

‘The Returned Golf Emperor’ Tiger Woods is awkwardly teeing off at the 8th hole on the first day of the PGA Championship. Tulsa, USA = Getty Images / Multibits

Woods actually started well with two birdies in the first five holes, including the 10th hole (par 4) and the 14th hole (par 3). However, he faced increasing difficulties with bogeys on the 15th hole (par 4) and three consecutive bogeys from the 18th hole to the 2nd hole of the back nine. Although he hit a maximum drive of 353 yards, his iron shot green hit rate was only 38.89%, making the round a tough one. The birdie on the 3rd hole (par 4) was offset by a bogey on the 4th hole (par 4), and he added two more bogeys on the 8th and 9th holes near the end. His average putts per hole were 1.57.

It is interesting that Woods won this tournament consecutively twice, from 1999 to 2000 and from 2006 to 2007. The 2007 victory was especially notable as it was held at Southern Hills. On the final day, he added a 1-under par and defeated Woody Austin (USA) by two strokes. He commented, "It was a frustrating day," and "My iron shots were not good today." He will start the second round at 3:36 a.m. on the 21st from the 1st hole (par 4) alongside Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland) and Jordan Spieth (USA).