It looked like Tiger Woods. And sounded like Tiger Woods. But was it really Tiger Woods? Is the world's former No. 1 golfer really back?
He's back in a professional golf tournament for the first time in almost three months, sure, and he carded a 2-under 68 during the first round of the World Golf Championships - Bridgestone Invitational on Friday, and he didn't appear to be limping or otherwise hindered by the leg injuries that sidelined him in May.
But is he actually back?
Too soon to tell. I can tell you this, though—Tiger's swing looks better than it had in the months leading up to his layoff, and his missed shots weren't near as bad as we'd seen in the past year or so. And, more importantly, his putting appeared to be a little more Tiger-esque than the inconsistencies we've seen from him on the green during his past two years of struggles.
Now, of course, we'll have to see if those are elements Tiger keeps up and builds on throughout the remainder of the WGC - Bridgestone Invitational, or whether he regresses yet again. He's six shots behind first-round leader Adam Scott, who just happens to be using Tiger's recently fired former caddie, Steve Williams. Tiger has won this tournament six times, and the good news for him as he works his way back is that this tournament doesn't have a cut, so he's guaranteed four solid rounds to get back in the swing of things.
Pun intended, because Tiger's swing has been as much of a key to his recent problems on the golf course as anything else. He says that the knee and Achilles injuries that were causing problems are behind him, allowing him to swing freer and easier and resulting in more distance with less effort.
Indeed, Tiger told reporters after his round that he's yet to really pour on the power. "I am not even hitting it hard yet and that's what's fun," he said. "I'm hitting it farther without more effort. Today, some of the drives I hit out there, I got my power back."That's one important step toward golf getting Tiger Woods back. But whether he's there yet remains to be seen.