Woods Tied For 8th Ending Round 1 At Valspar Championship

PALM HARBOR, Fla. – Starting fast and finishing strong, Tiger Woods forged a 1-under-par 70 in tough conditions Thursday in the first round of the Valspar Championship at the Copperhead Course at Innisbrook Resort.

Cool temperatures and swirling winds presented a stiff challenge for everyone, as only 27 players broke par. Woods made five birdies and four bogeys and is tied for eighth, three shots behind leader Corey Conners.

Competing in the tournament for the first time and playing only his 11th round of 2018 PGA Tour season, Woods birdied the par-5 first hole, battled through a trying stretch midway through the back nine, then closed with the shot of the day, nearly acing the par-3 17th for an easy birdie.

“Today was tough,” he said afterward. “I don’t know if these people know how difficult it was.”

Paired with Jordan Spieth and Henrik Stenson, Woods nearly eagled the par-4 seventh hole when his approach shot caromed off the pin.

Woods hit seven of 13 fairways, nine of 18 greens, and used 25 putts.

“I’m pleased with every aspect of my game,” he said.

A scary moment occurred at the par-4 16th hole, when Woods punched his second shot off pine straw and his left forearm hit a tree during his follow through and his club went flying.

“It didn’t feel very good,” said Woods. “I moved all the people and even warned them in case the club breaks and got over there.”

He managed to make a scrambling par.

“I knew I was going to feel it,” Woods said. “But I pulled it off.”

Woods starts second round play on Friday at 7:56 a.m. ET on the 10th tee with Spieth and Stenson.