Open champion Brian Harman acquired out of place on just a few events however scrambled properly to go joint-top after the first spherical of the Hero World Challenge at Albany Golf Course in Nassau on November 30, 2023.
| Photo Credit: MIKE EHRMANN
Brian Harman and Tony Finau made a robust begin at the Hero World Challenge right here on Thursday, sharing the lead with five-under 67 playing cards. Harman, the Open champion, may have ended the day with the sole lead, if not for a bogey on the 18th gap.
Tiger Woods, taking part in for the first time in nearly eight months, carded a three-over 75. Woods managed to get via the day, at the same time as he admitted to feeling soreness.
Woods, coming back from a subtalar fusion process in his ankle, struggled in the closing phases. There have been glimpses of his former self in the early holes, when he made a few lengthy putts and massive drives. By taking his photographs rapidly, he confirmed readability of thoughts.
“I’m sore, there’s no doubt about that. I’m sore everywhere — my leg, my back, my neck. Tomorrow we get back in the gym to activate and get ready for it. I’ll hopefully hit some better shots. And now I know mentally what I need to do better,” Woods mentioned.
Wanted to play
Overall, Woods was happy with how the day went. “I wanted to compete, I wanted to play. I hit it solid most of the day. I just didn’t mentally do the things I normally would do,” Woods mentioned.
Harman acquired out of place on just a few events, however scrambled properly. “It’s a really tough golf course. The wind was blowing. I got out of position a few times, and made some really nice up-and-downs,” Harman mentioned.
Finau made his solution to the high with 4 birdies between the eleventh and fifteenth holes. “I made a lot of six, seven footers whether it was after a chip or a bad first putt. That kept the momentum throughout the round.”
Jordan Spieth (68) rode a roller-coaster with two eagles, six birdies, 4 bogeys and a double bogey. Cameron Young, Scottie Scheffler, Collin Morikawa and Max Homa (all 69) are tied fourth. Two-time defending champion Viktor Hovland disenchanted with a one-over 73.
The scores (high 4): 67: Brian Harman, Tony Finau; 68: Jordan Spieth; 69: Cameron Young, Scottie Scheffler, Collin Morikawa, Max Homa.
(The author is in Nassau on invitation from Hero MotoCorp)
