Genesis Invitational: Tiger Woods returns As McIlroy Struggles

Tiger Woods returned to the PGA Tour with a one-over-par 72 at the Genesis Invitational in California.

Woods was playing his first round of an official PGA Tour event since having ankle surgery after withdrawing from round three of the Masters in April.

The 15-time major champion is tied for 49th, with the top 50 and those within 10 shots making the halfway cut.

Fellow American Patrick Cantlay shot a 64 to lead by one stroke, while Rory McIlroy is 10 shots off the pace.

The Northern Irishman was three under after 10 holes but followed a double bogey on the 15th with a triple bogey on the 16th as he finished on three over.

Englishman Tommy Fleetwood went round in 70, while American world number one Scottie Scheffler is joint 10th after a 68.

Former world number one Woods carded five birdies and six bogeys, the last of which came after a shank far to the right on the 18th fairway.

“My back was spasming the last couple holes and it was locking up,” he said. “But that’s just part of the deal, and I look forward to the challenge.”

Woods’ most recent win on the PGA Tour was at the 2019 Zozo Championship in Japan when he equalled Sam Snead’s record of 82 Tour titles.

His schedule has been limited since he injured a leg in a car crash in 2021.