Tiger Woods had a superb day at the Genesis Invitational, where he returned to the greens after a seven-month absence, returning a card of 67, or 4 strokes under par, for the third round at the end of which the Spaniard Jon Rahm (-15) took the lead.
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In front of an audience who came in droves to see the golf legend play his first professional tournament since the Open Championship in July 2022, Woods shone, signing three birdies and an eagle.
He achieved his best score in the last four tournaments he has played since his serious road accident two years ago, which had left his right leg bruised by numerous fractures.
"
It's the best (round) I've played
" since, Woods said.
“
Le Tigre
” notably managed an eagle on the 1st hole (his 10th of the day, since he started from the “
back nine
”, ie holes 10-18).
This is his 189th eagle on the North American Tour (PGA) and his ninth at the Riviera Country Club, where the event he sponsors is organized, but which he has never won in 13 starts.
“
Today was better,
” analyzed Tiger Woods.
"
I felt I made some good adjustments with my putting and that's what held me back yesterday
."
The American started very strong with a birdie on the 10th hole.
He was very close to the birdie in the 13th, which offered a beautiful image, his drive having touched a spectator, who remained patiently motionless so that he could replay his ball from this place.
Woods then signed a new birdie on the 14th hole, from the green.
His day was barely spoiled by a bogey on the 7th hole because, starting 58th after having narrowly passed the cut, "
Le Tigre
" ended his day in 26th place, 4 strokes under par, after a an encouraging performance both in terms of his score and his physical form.
“
I wanted to get close to the leaders today, I was hoping to score a bit lower than what I did so maybe I could catch up with them with a little lap tomorrow
,” he explained.
With his right leg and ankle still making walking problematic, Woods said he hopes to play all four majors this year and a few other events.
He insisted this week that he would not start if he did not believe his fitness and game would give him a chance to win.
“
For now, I have to recover for tomorrow.
I'm a bit in pain, so we have to recover, think about tomorrow and I hope to score well
,” he concluded.
At the top of the standings, the Spaniard Jon Rahm (-14) signed six birdies to take the lead, ahead of the Americans Max Homa (-12) and Keith Mitchell (-11).
A victory on Sunday would allow Rahm to become world No.1 again instead of the American Scottie Scheffler, in progress (15th, -5).