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Tiger Woods returns to the golf course

December 2, 2016

The former world No. 1 player has returned to the golf course after an absense of 16 months due to two back surgeries. His great start in the first round of the Hero World Challenge was followed by a mediocre back nine.

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Golfsport Tiger Woods bei der Hero World Challenge
Image: picture-alliance/AP Images/L. Sladky

Eight holes into Thursday's first round of 18-man invitational in the Bahamas, which is being hosted by Woods himself, he was tied for first place with a score of four under par.

But what promised to be an outstanding return to professional golf, then took a turn for the worse on the back nine as the winner of 14 majors missed several shots.

The mixed performance saw Woods enter the clubhouse in second-to-last place with a one-over par 73, trailing nine shots behind J.B. Holmes, who holds the first-round lead.

"I just need to keep playing," Woods said. "It felt good to have that adrenaline surging through the system again. It has been a long time."

Warm welcome

Woods' rivals meanwhile were pleased to see him back on the course.

"Unfortunately it wasn't quite the way we both wanted to play, but it was awesome to get him back out here and play golf with him," said Patrick Reed, who shot a 72 playing alongside Woods.

"It's great to have him back. He has been gone a while and he definitely brings a lot more to our sport," Holmes said.

mrk/pfd (AP, AFP)