ST. ANDREWS, Scotland — Tiger Woods was on the wrong side of the draw — and often the wrong side of the holes — during the first round of the 150th Open Championship on the Old Course at St. Andrews on Thursday.
Playing in the afternoon wave, which had more windy and much more difficult conditions than the morning group, Woods carded a 6-over 78. He was 14 shots behind leader Cameron Young after 18 holes.
It was a disappointing beginning for Woods, who is playing in only his third official tournament this season. He had hoped to contend at St. Andrews, where he won The Open in 2000 and 2005. He was also hoping his surgically repaired right leg would be stronger, less than 17 months after he was seriously injured in a car crash outside Los Angeles in February 2021.
Woods, 46, will have fewer than 12 hours to recover and prepare for Friday’s second round. He is scheduled to tee off at 4:58 a.m. ET Friday with U.S. Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick and Max Homa.