AUGUSTA, Ga. — Nobody in the 2024 Masters field knows Augusta National Golf Club like Tiger Woods, and that course knowledge was on full display during the first round.
The five-time Masters champion methodically plotted his way between the Georgia pines and played arguably his best golf since his near-fatal car crash back in 2021 on Thursday until the first round was suspended due to darkness. Inclement weather early in the day delayed tee times by two and a half hours, which led to Woods only completing 13 holes. He walked off the course at T-17 at 1 under.
Woods was in near-complete control of his golf ball. He didn’t compound mistakes. He spent most of the day in the fairway and when he wasn’t, he got out of trouble and minimized the damage. Not once did he limp or labor as his surgically repaired body seemed to thrive in the afternoon post-rain humidity. The only issue was his putting, as Woods left numerous looks for birdie or eagle short.
The real test, however, awaits in the morning when Woods will return to the course to finish the last five holes of his first round at 7:50 a.m. ET. The forecast calls for a sunny 72 degrees with 20-30 mph winds that will gust as the day goes on.
If Woods is able to finish strong and duplicate his first-round effort in the second, he’ll be in prime position to break the all-time Masters record for consecutive cuts made with 24.