Tiger’s back: Woods thrills patrons with Masters birdie

AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — Tiger Woods is back.

Walking with the slightest hint of a limp after a devastating car wreck that could've cost him his right leg, Woods sent the Masters patrons into an uproar Thursday with his first birdie of the tournament.

After five straight pars — he just missed a birdie at the tough No. 5 hole when a 15-foot putt lipped out — Woods delivered a vintage tee shot at the par-3 sixth.

The ball climbed up a ridge on the green and stopped 2 feet short of the flag, leaving Woods with nothing more than a tap-in to push his score to 1-under.

That was good enough to put him on the leaderboard, right behind co-leaders Harry Higgs and Talor Gooch.

Yep, there was a long way to go.

Still, it felt as if Woods was already a winner.

This was his first truly competitive tournament since a car wreck in February 2021 damaged his right leg so badly that doctors told him that amputation was an option.

Wearing a pink shirt and black pants, Woods was greeted by thunderous applause when his name was announced to a huge gallery surrounding the first tee.

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