Tiger Woods PGA Championship: Woods Shoots 1-Over-Par

Tiger Woods stumbles late at PGA Championship, records 1-over 72. Needs to improve to make cut at Valhalla Golf Club.

Tiger Woods had a mixed performance in his first round at the PGA Championship, finishing with a 1-over 72 after bogeying his last two holes. This leaves him in a challenging position to make the cut at the Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, currently tied for 55th place with the afternoon wave still to play on a day conducive to low scores.

Despite a generally solid round, Woods faltered on the 8th and 9th holes, his final two of the day. A miscalculated lag putt on the 8th led to a bogey, followed by a short par putt miss on the 9th, leaving him visibly frustrated. Starting on the back nine, Woods had a slow start with a bogey on the 11th but managed to bounce back with a birdie on the 13th, showcasing moments of brilliance amid the challenges.

Valhalla holds special significance for Woods, as the site of his 2000 PGA Championship victory. However, expectations are tempered this time around, as Woods, now 48, has openly acknowledged his struggles with injuries affecting his practice routines and overall sharpness. His putting, in particular, has been a point of concern in recent tournaments, with inconsistent performances in that area.

Despite these challenges, Woods showed glimpses of his former self on Thursday, gaining some strokes on the greens before faltering towards the end of his round. As he heads into the second day of the tournament, Woods will need to dig deep and deliver a strong performance to secure his spot in the weekend rounds. The journey ahead is uncertain, but with his experience and determination, Woods remains a formidable contender on the course.