Tiger Woods Opens PGA Championship with a Solid 1-Over 72

Tiger Woods knows he hasn’t played as much as most other golfers in the PGA Championship this week. But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t expect a lot from himself.

In the first round at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky, Woods started with a score of 1 over 72. It was a bit of a mixed bag a morning with ups and downs. Despite some off target tee shots, he managed to stay around par for most of the round. Then, in the middle of his second nine, he started playing really well and even got a few birdies.

But unfortunately, he ended his round with two bogeys in a row. Those last two holes didn’t go as planned, and it left a bitter taste in his mouth. Right now, he’s 10 strokes behind Xander Schauffele, who set a new record for the lowest score in a single round of the PGA Championship with a fantastic 9-under 62.

The day at the PGA Championship felt a lot like Tiger Woods’ first round at last month’s Masters. He finished the day with a score of 1-over 73, similar to his performance at Augusta National. It was a round with its ups and downs, much like a rollercoaster ride. However, it seems like he might end up around the projected cut line once again.

At the Masters, after his 1-over 73 in the first round, Woods followed up with a second-round 72. This score was enough to secure his spot for the weekend. By setting a new tournament record with his 24th consecutive made cut. Now, at the PGA Championship, he’s aiming for a similar outcome. He wants to make sure he’s playing on Saturday and Sunday, competing for another major championship.

On Friday, Woods will be looking to start stronger than he did on Thursday. In the first few holes of the tournament, he was lucky to escape with just a 1-over score. But as the round progressed, he found his rhythm and started playing better. Now, he’s hoping to carry that momentum into the second round and beyond. Which aiming for a smoother ride towards the weekend.

After his opening round at the PGA Championship, Tiger Woods reflected on his performance. By acknowledging that it took him a few holes to find his competitive rhythm again. He mentioned that it typically doesn’t take him long to adjust to the challenges of competition the adrenaline. Further, weather conditions, and course conditions but on this occasion, it took a bit longer.

Woods explained that it usually only takes him a few holes to get into the flow of things. But in this round, it took a bit longer. He attributed this adjustment period to factors like adrenaline, temperature, and the speed of the greens. All of which play a significant role in the game.

Despite the initial struggle to find his groove, Woods noted that he’s feeling stronger as he continues to compete. However, he acknowledged the variability of his physical condition from day to day. Some days feel better than others, he said, and it’s just the nature of how his body responds to the demands of professional golf.

Overall, Woods recognized the importance of adapting to the challenges of competition and remaining resilient. Even on days when things don’t go as smoothly as he would like. It’s all part of the journey of being an elite athlete, navigating both the highs and lows of performance.

Tiger Woods’ legacy at Valhalla Golf Club is deeply ingrained, particularly due to his remarkable victory at the 2000 PGA Championship. This win, secured in a thrilling three-hole playoff against Bob May, marked a pivotal moment in golf history. It was the third consecutive major championship victory for Woods. Which completing what would later be known as the “Tiger Slam,” culminating at the 2001 Masters.

Woods’ dominance during this period was unparalleled, with commanding wins at the 2000 U.S. Open and The Open, where he outplayed his competition by an astonishing 23 shots combined. However, at Valhalla, the seasoned competitor May posed a significant challenge, pushing Woods to his limits over the course of 75 intense holes.

Reflecting on his chances at this year’s PGA Championship, Woods acknowledges that another victory may be a lofty goal. However, he remains focused on more attainable objectives, such as making the cut for a second consecutive major championship. He emphasizes the importance of perseverance and endurance in major tournaments, describing them as marathons rather than sprints.

For Woods, success in major championships requires a relentless grind, characterized by consistent effort and strategic play. Despite the formidable competition and the challenges he faces, he remains committed to navigating the course one shot at a time, embracing the demanding nature of elite level golf.

To have a chance at winning a tournament, you first need to make it to the weekend by making the cut. Whether you’re barely making it or leading, you’ve got to be there on Saturday and Sunday to have a shot at winning.

However, I have won tournaments after just making the cut and also when I’ve been in the lead. But the key is being there for the weekend rounds because that’s when you can make your move and go for the win.

Here are updates on Tiger Woods’ performance in the first round of the 106th PGA Championship:

1:25 p.m.: Woods finishes his round with a disappointing bogey, ending the day at 1-over after a mix of good and bad shots.

1:10 p.m.: Woods struggles to convert a par on the par-3 eighth, slipping back to even par with one hole to play.

12:55 p.m.: Woods breaks into red numbers with a birdie on the par-5 seventh, showing resilience after a shaky start.

12:15 p.m.: Despite missed birdie chances, Woods maintains his even-par score with four holes remaining.

11:45 a.m.: Woods gets back to even par with a birdie on the par-3 third, displaying his skill and determination.

11:30 a.m.: Despite tee shot troubles, Woods stays in contention with smart recovery shots.

10:55 a.m.: Woods misses a chance for eagle on the par-5 18th but settles for par, finishing the front nine at 1-over.

10:35 a.m.: After back-to-back pars on holes 16 and 17, Woods remains steady despite missed opportunities.

10:04 a.m.: Woods struggles on the par-4 15th, landing in thick rough and eventually bogeying the hole.

9:40 a.m.: Continuing his steady play, Woods makes par on the par-3 14th with a smart shot to the middle of the green.

9:20 a.m.: Woods secures his first birdie of the day on the par-4 13th, sinking a good putt after a solid approach shot.

9:02 a.m.: On the par-4 12th, Woods finds himself in thick rough but impressively saves par with a clutch putt.

8:45 a.m.: Woods encounters trouble on the par-3 11th, but he limits the damage by saving bogey with a good putt.

8:32 a.m.: Despite facing a challenging shot on the par-5 10th, Woods manages to save par with a solid putt.

8:15 a.m.: Woods starts his round with a strong drive on the par-5 10th hole, positioning himself well.

Throughout the round, Woods demonstrated both his skill and resilience, despite facing challenges along the way.