Tiger Woods returned this week to a familiar course. Having won at Doral 3 prior times, Woods felt right at home during the first round of the WGC-Cadillac Championship. A putting lesson earlier in the week from Steve Stricker lead Woods to nine birdies en route to an opening round 66. Joining Woods atop the leaderboard are Bubba Watson, Graeme McDowell, Sergio Garcia, and Freddie Jacobson. All players are at 6-under par.
The opening round was extremely conducive to scoring, as the winds were down and the greens extremely receptive. Conditions were perfect for all of the players on the course. Woods started strong, with two early birdies, but gave those right back with two straight bogeys. But he fought back, making seven more birdies with only one bogey in his final 13 holes to finish the round. Garcia and McDowell played together and both fired bogey-free rounds. Jacobson had two eagles on the round, and Watson lead a strong group who finished a combined 16-under par.
One stroke back of the leaders are a group at 5-under par which includes Stricker, Phil Mickelson, and Hunter Mahan.
Paired with Woods today was Rory McIlroy, who struggled yet again to a 1-over par 73. McIlroy is returning to play after a controversial WD last week at the Honda Classic. But he has handled the media scrutiny well for a young player. But that has not translated into his play on the golf course. McIlroy had an eagle at hole 2, but 3 straight bogeys derailed any momentum he might have gained. He will look to get back on track tomorrow and will complete his first 4-round tournament of the year.
Action continues tomorrow on The Golf Channel at 2:00 PM ET.
The opening round was extremely conducive to scoring, as the winds were down and the greens extremely receptive. Conditions were perfect for all of the players on the course. Woods started strong, with two early birdies, but gave those right back with two straight bogeys. But he fought back, making seven more birdies with only one bogey in his final 13 holes to finish the round. Garcia and McDowell played together and both fired bogey-free rounds. Jacobson had two eagles on the round, and Watson lead a strong group who finished a combined 16-under par.
One stroke back of the leaders are a group at 5-under par which includes Stricker, Phil Mickelson, and Hunter Mahan.
Paired with Woods today was Rory McIlroy, who struggled yet again to a 1-over par 73. McIlroy is returning to play after a controversial WD last week at the Honda Classic. But he has handled the media scrutiny well for a young player. But that has not translated into his play on the golf course. McIlroy had an eagle at hole 2, but 3 straight bogeys derailed any momentum he might have gained. He will look to get back on track tomorrow and will complete his first 4-round tournament of the year.
Action continues tomorrow on The Golf Channel at 2:00 PM ET.
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