Australian Open champion Jordan Spieth has continued his super form at Tiger Woods’ invitational tournament in Florida, while the host struggled in his return from a four-month injury layoff.
Spieth, fresh from last weekend’s victory at The Australian course in Sydney, finished the opening day at six-under-par.
American Spieth sank a 20-foot par putt at 18 to stay one shot in front of fellow Americans Rickie Fowler, Steve Stricker and Zach Johnson and Sweden’s Henrik Stenson, who all opened with five-under 67s.
While Spieth sizzled, all eyes were on Woods in the 18-man tournament he hosts to raise money for his charity foundation.
Woods, who was playing in his first competitive tournament after a four-month injury layoff due to a back injury, finished the day in last spot and 11 strokes from the lead.
The American superstar’s playing partner Jason Day, who hasn’t played since September due to a back injury, finished the round at one under.
Woods, who had not played in an event since the PGA Championship in August, was five over after eight holes and played the inward nine at par but showed he still has plenty of work remaining to recapture the form that brought him 14 major titles, four shy of Jack Nicklaus’ all-time record.
“It was just one of those days where nothing goes your way,” Woods said.
“I feel like I didn’t hit it that poorly.”
Woods, who turns 39 on December 30, has not won a major title since the 2008 US Open.
He must become the first player to win four majors beyond his 39th birthday to match Nicklaus.
While Woods struck the ball with speed and power and showed no sign of the back pain that sidelined him most of the year, he was erratic off the tee at the start, sending his first three drives well left.
“I have zero pain,” Woods said. Haven’t said that in a long time. It’s nice to be able to launch it again.”
Woods botched four chip shots, a sign his once-mighty short game needs more work than he has managed in the month since he returned to hitting golf shots.
“My short game was awful,” Woods said. “I didn’t make anything. It certainly is surprising I could hit chips that poorly. I flubbed them. I hit some terrible chips.”
