Tiger Woods completes 16 holes at Genesis Invitational Pro-Am

LOS ANGELES — Tiger Woods played and walked 16 holes in the Genesis Invitational Pro-Am Wednesday morning in his first public round of golf since missing the cut at last year's Open Championship in St. Andrews.

Woods, who will play with Justin Thomas and Rory McIlroy in the first two rounds of the tournament starting Thursday, arrived at Riviera Country Club Wednesday before sunrise and practiced at the range with lights before his 6:30 a.m. tee time. At the time Woods teed off, the sun was just peeking out over the horizon and the temperature was in the low 40s. It remained there throughout the front nine holes while the wind picked up significantly. Woods, wearing what appeared to be several layers, looked cold but comfortable swinging.

«I am very rusty, but I've come off a rusty situation before and I've done well,» Woods said Tuesday. «Plus, I know this golf course. I know I haven't had a lot of success on this golf course, but I knew what to practice for, shots to hit at home getting ready.»

During the first part of his round Wednesday, Woods' gait looked more normal than it has in the past, with no noticeable limp, though he did appear to take his time and care walking up and down steep slopes. By the back nine, he did look to be walking more gingerly, avoiding putting too much weight on his ankle. After picking up his ball on the 16th hole, Woods did not play the rest of the way and took his time walking back up the clubhouse. He did not take a cart.

As the 16-time major winner said Tuesday, hitting shots is not an issue for him, but walking, and specifically his right ankle, are what have affected him the most. Though Woods said his leg and the plantar fasciitis are doing better, the task of potentially walking