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Tiger Woods returns to golf with an opening-hole par

NASSAU, Bahamas — At long last, Tiger Woods is once again a professional golfer.

Woods began his comeback at high noon on Thursday in the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas, a no-cut, small-field event at which he’s the host. He teed off alongside Patrick Reed, hero of the recent Ryder Cup, a guy who wears red and black on Sundays in honor of Woods … but on this day, Reed was merely the opening act.

Reed teed off first, his drive accompanied by several calls of “Nice ball!” Woods’ tee shot, which drifted left, sailed into the air in uncomfortable silence before someone shouted an awkward “Get ’em, Tiger!” And then they set off over the blinding white Bahamas sand en route to the fairway, dozens of cameras in tow.

As it turned out, Woods outdrove Reed by a couple yards, but Reed was in the fairway, whereas Woods narrowly averted a fairway bunker. From there, Woods chipped onto the green and rolled his birdie putt just past the hole. Woods’ par putt brought back a familiar scene: the entire gallery moving en masse even though Reed still needed to putt; Woods’ caddie Joe LaCava had to instruct the hundred or so patrons ringing the green to remain still.

Tiger Woods prepares for his return to golf. (via Yahoo Sports)
Tiger Woods prepares for his return to golf. (via Yahoo Sports)

Woods has spent the last 16 months rehabbing his body from back surgery and his mind from a series of on-course performances that ranged from substandard to disastrous. He emerged from virtual seclusion earlier this fall when he served as a vice-captain for the United States’ Ryder Cup team, but also pushed his projected return date back twice, to this weekend.

Woods had indicated on Tuesday that he expects to win this weekend, but even he knows that’s all but impossible. Given his long layoff and the state of his game in recent years, Woods could consider this weekend a rousing success if he’s able to play all four days without pain and without any rounds in the high 70s, or worse. We’ll find out which way he turns soon enough; the next phase of Tiger Woods’ career is now underway.

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Jay Busbee is a writer for Yahoo Sports and the author of EARNHARDT NATION, on sale now at Amazon or wherever books are sold. Contact him at jay.busbee@yahoo.com or find him on Twitter or on Facebook.