Tiger Woods didn’t exactly race out of the gate in his year-opening round at Torrey Pines’ North Course on the first day of the Farmers Insurance Open. Then again, a steady start (no fireworks, no disasters) is pretty standard for Woods the elder statesman.
Woods got warmed up as the day went on in San Diego, minimizing his misses and logging five birdies on the day. He offset those with two bogeys for an opening 3-under 69. It’s the eighth time he’s broken 70 in first round of the Farmers Insurance Open. Woods walked off the course three off the lead with several players still finishing their rounds.
MORE: Leaderboard | Tee times, TV info | Updates | Photos
Woods, who started the day on No. 10, had two bogeys and two birdies on his first nine. The final bogey, at the par-4 18th, came as a result of a drive tugged left and a lackluster pitch shot that rolled backwards to the front of the tiered green. It was a rare tug off the tee, considering that when Woods missed fairways and greens on Thursday, he most often missed them on the right.
The highlight of the front side – after a bounce-back birdie at No. 1 – was easily Woods’ eagle opportunity at the short par-5 fifth. His 5-iron approach curled right around toward the hole, leaving roughly 20 feet for eagle. Woods left that putt low the whole way and walked off with another birdie.
It looked good the entire way.@TigerWoods' first birdie of the year.#QuickHits pic.twitter.com/Lj3PDJ1iaO
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) January 23, 2020
At times, Woods’ approach shots were inspired and his play off the tee (but for a few missed fairways around the turn) was strong. He wasted no time stepping up to touchy pitch shots or bump-and-run chips, which gives a hint at his confidence level, and generally looked to have a good handle on his body and his game even if he wasn’t quite as sharp as he needed to be.
It’s clear to see why Woods chose Torrey Pines to kick off what could be a momentous year as he chases, among other things, a record 83rd win on the PGA Tour. He has won the Farmers Insurance Open seven times here, as well as the 2008 U.S. Open (which he famously won on a broken leg).
Woods drew two up-and-coming stars for the first two rounds in bomber Jon Rahm, who had 68, and level-headed rookie Collin Morikawa, who opened with a birdie and cruised to a 70.
Interestingly, Morikawa, 22 and a fresh Cal graduate, became the first player Woods has played with who was not yet born when Woods turned professional in 1996.
[opinary poll=”where-will-tiger-woods-get-career-win-no” customer=”golfweek”]
[lawrence-related id=778021880,778021870,778021856,778021614]