Tiger Woods finishes Masters first round few strokes off from leaders

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Tiger Woods finished the first round of the Masters shooting a 71 and finishing 1-under par for the course.

Woods saved par 13 times, had three birdies and bogeyed twice in his first full round at a major event in about 17 months. As he walked to the green at the 18th hole, he received a big standing ovation.

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Tiger Woods walks across the Serazen Bridge on the 15th hole during the first round at the Masters golf tournament on Thursday, April 7, 2022, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Woods wrapped the 18th hole with par. He shot a 36 on the front nine and a 35 on the back nine.

The legendary golfer trotted to the first tee box to the roar of the crowd at Augusta National Golf Course. He announced he was planning to play in the tournament Tuesday. But there was always that chance he was still hurting from devastating leg injuries suffered in a 2021 car crash.

Woods had shades of his old self with birdies on the sixth, 13th and 16th holes. He first pumped after nailing the birdie on 16.

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He appeared to be within striking distance of the leaders as he completed. Cameron Smith, Danny Willett, Sungjae Im and Woods’ groupmate Joaquin Niemann were among the leaders he wrapped up.

Tiger Woods watches his tee shot on the first hole during the first round at the Masters golf tournament on Thursday, April 7, 2022, in Augusta, Ga.  (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

Woods was asked Tuesday whether he thinks he could win this weekend.

His simple response: "I do."

He added: "I can hit it just fine. I don't have any qualms about what I can do physically from a golf standpoint.