Woods sits in 18th place
- Simba French
- 17 hrs ago
- 0
Brian Harman.
Tony Finau.
Americans Brian Harman and Tony Finau shared the lead after the first round of action at the 2023 Hero World Challenge, that got underway yesterday at the Albany Golf Course in Albany. Meanwhile, tournament host Tiger Woods is in 18th as the second round gets underway today.
Finau and Harman both finished the first round with a score of 67 five-under par. Woods, who last competed in April, shot a 75 three over-par to end the first r
“I made some crucial par saves, I would say. I made a lot of six, seven footers whether it was after a chip or a bad first putt. That just kept the momentum
throughout the round. I hit it nice enough to score, and just happy I was able to capitalize with some of those short putts,” Finau said.
Harman also came away with six birdies right up until the 18th hole where he bogeyed.
“It’s a tough golf course,” Harman said. “The wind was blowing. I got out of position a few times, made some nice up-and-downs. I’m going to go hit a few, see if I can tighten my iron game up a little bit. Putted nice other than the bogey on the last.”
Woods was happy to be back as he tested his play and body in the first round as he got off to a decent start on the first three holes.
“I didn’t play the par 5’s particularly well all day. I was telling Todd over there I had really a lack of commitment through most of the middle part of my round and finishing. I just didn’t quite commit to what I was doing and feeling,” Woods said.
He added; “I wanted to compete, I wanted to play. I felt like I was ready to compete and play. I hit it solid most of the day. As I said, I just didn’t mentally do the things I normally would do, and I need to do. I still hit it solid, but I hit it crooked. I’ve always had a knack of hitting the ball in the middle of the face, but I need to do a better job where I need to hit it in my windows.”
The first tee-off is set for 10:51 a.m. today with Wyndham Clark and Will Zalatoris in action. Finau and Harman tee off at 12:30 p.m. while Woods and Rickie Fowler tee off at 11:02 a.m.
Winner of the past two Hero World Challenge, Norwegian Viktor Hovland is in 16th with a score of 73 one-over par.