Masters: Tiger Woods ignited Augusta for his comeback

From our special correspondent in Augusta,

He was expected as the messiah.

And he was supported like never before by the public of the Masters.

Unsurprisingly, the "bosses" (spectators) had only one idea in mind this Thursday: to see the icon up close for his comeback after his serious road accident suffered in February 2021.

See every shot of the icon

Difficult for the followers to make their way through the compact crowd to hope to see each shot of the icon perfectly.

Especially since in Augusta the media are behind the ropes like the spectators.

And even if we were of course, still quite far from a Ryder Cup atmosphere, the master of the place knew how to put the Georgian public in turmoil.

The former world number one was probably applauded as never before, carried by "come on Tiger" or even sometimes "I love you Tiger", released by the crowd for his first competitive tournament since the Masters... 2020, there at 508 days.

An eternity.

With his fuchsia pink polo shirt, the idol of the crowd was more recognizable than ever and stood out on the greens, it is true,

” READ ALSO –

LIVE – Augusta Masters: Tiger Woods finishes the first round under par

Clearly not 100% physically, Tiger hobbled a bit early in the game.

To read the slope of the greens, he did not kneel down as he is used to.

Something to cause some concern.

But on the golf side, he knew how to reassure his fans.

His game was solid, as if nothing had happened on a course he knows by heart.

If his drive from 1 was not the best of his career, far from it, he was able to save the par thanks to a 3.50 meter putt.

On the other hand, he was able to harbor regrets on hole 5 (par 4).

After nailing a sublime iron shot, his uphill putt of four meters for the birdie only grazed the hole... But on hole 6 (par 3), he did not miss the opportunity to open his birdie counter thanks to a fabulous iron shot planted in the mast.

” READ ALSO –

Masters: Tiger Woods, 25 years of Augusta and five unforgettable coronations

But at hole 6 (par 3), he did not miss the opportunity to open his birdie counter thanks to a fabulous iron shot planted on the mast.

His first hitch occurred on the 8, a par 5 that he usually adores.

Guilty of two very poor approaches, he had to settle for the bogey.

His little game, on the other hand, saved him at the next hole.

Thanks to a downhill putt from four meters in, he saved par and concluded his go into par.

Not bad for a ghost.

In the amen corner, where he received an ovation like never before, the Tiger knew how to play in the par and roared on the 13 (par 5) with his second birdie of the day after touching the green in two.

What ignite a little more the crowd, massed on its part.

” READ ALSO –

Masters: The return of Woods hailed and scrutinized by his peers

He then blew hot and cold on the 14th (par 4).

Cold shower with a horrible drive hooked (left of the fairway in the trees).

The five-time winner even grimaced, then set fire to a mind-blowing second shot into the undergrowth that landed just behind the green.

Another cold snap with a missed 3-meter putt and a bogey to get back into par.

But the man with Grand Slam titles went back into the red (-1), thanks to a new birdie at hole 16 (par 3), with a fantastic 8-meter putt in the box.

Something to get the crowd going.

A bit of luck on the 18th. A pin brought back his misplaced drive to the left and the Californian saved the par with a 3.50 meter putt.

With a card of 71 (-1), here he is in the provisional top 10.

Sacred performance for a player who almost had his right leg amputated in 2021!

It remains to be seen in what physical condition he will be in Friday morning when he wakes up to prepare for his second round.