News
Tiger Woods opens Hero World Challenge with up-and-down 73
Any breakdown of Tiger Woods’ first competitive round since the Wyndham Championship in 2015 is relative to expectations. Of course, opinions regarding what would constitute a success for the 14-time major winner in his opening round ranged from “leading the tournament” to “not getting carried off in a gurney.”
Fortunately, with respect to the second extreme mentioned, Woods round was a success. He suffered no apparent issues with his surgically repaired back. And with respect to the first, Woods tied the first-round lead with his birdie at the eighth hole, although that was his high-water mark on the leaderboard.
The easily digestible version of Woods’ opening round: He was 4-under par through eight holes, but he struggled to keep his head above water after that point. He bogeyed two par fives, carding a sloppy double bogey and finding the water with his tee shot at the closing hole en route to another double. Ultimately, Woods finished the day at 1-over, second to last in the field of 18.
With regards to Woods’ full swing, his action looked a little longer and smoother with a little less right side through the ball. We’ll leave the more in-depth analysis to the Tom Stickneys and Dennis Clarks of the world, though. (For his part, Brandel Chamblee found plenty to criticize in Woods’ full swing).
Off the tee, Woods looked to favor the draw but missed left several times, both narrowly (as with his opening tee shot), and more widely (as he did at the 10th, 14th and 18th holes). A few piped drives, such as his bomb at the par-five 15th, were good to see. On his iron approach shots from the fairway and on par-3s, he worked the ball both ways and varied trajectory, showing an encouraging amount of control.
Looking like an assassin in head-to-toe black, Woods’ only real hiccup on the front nine was a flubbed pitch from short of the ninth hole. He stumbled a bit during the middle portion of the round, making two bogeys in three holes from Nos. 9-11, but managed to avert round-derailing disaster until a double-bogey six at the 16th that went all kinds of wrong after a drive that found the fairway.
The WRX audience was no doubt keen to see how Woods would perform with the TaylorMade M2 in the bag, replacing his Nike Vapor Speed Prototype. Likewise, the M1 fairway woods and the 79-time Tour winner’s return to Old Reliable, his Scotty Cameron Newport 2 GSS, which largely served him well.
Related: See the clubs Tiger has in the bag this week
And, of course, the equipment change that played a starring role in every shot: his switch to the Bridgestone B330s. You look at something like his controlled approach from 96 yards with wedge at No. 7, as well as the roll out on a couple of long early pitches, and you can draw the conclusion that Woods is pretty comfortable with the ball. Certainly he tried to play a variety of approach shots, with largely positive results.
Here’s how TW’s scorecard looked.
But more excitingly, from a visual standpoint, here are the highlights. This tidy pitch from behind the green at the par-five 3rd led to Woods’ first birdie of the round.
That didn’t take long.
Tiger Woods’ chip leads to his first birdie of the year. #QuickHits https://t.co/m9esQ8FLZS
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) December 1, 2016
Woods’ second stellar mid-iron approach on a three-shotter, this at the par-three 12th.
Iron game strong for Tiger Woods. Whew.#QuickHits https://t.co/ERVJy6iMHj
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) December 1, 2016
A beautiful par-saving putt after making a mess of the 298-yard par-4. Woods pulled his drive left into the waste area, went over the green from a hard-packed lie, then hit a sub-standard bunker shot to the fringe.
First Tiger Woods fist pump of the year.#QuickHitshttps://t.co/uuEAvjv0tw
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) December 1, 2016
And Woods’ assessment of his opening-round 73
“I hit the ball in three bushes and a water ball today. It could have been something really good. I got off to a nice solid start and made a few mistakes there and consequently got it going the wrong way.”
With the second major of 2026 now behind us, the PGA Tour arrives in Texas for the CJ Cup Byron Nelson.
GolfWRX Tour Photographer, Greg Moore, is on site at TPC Craig Ranch in McKinney, Texas, and he’s already captured several WITBs and a look at some new colorways of just-spotted L.A.B. Golf VZN.1i putters.
Check out links to all our photos below.
General Albums
- 2026 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Monday #1
- 2026 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Monday #2
- 2026 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Monday #3
WITB Albums
- Brennan Little (Gary Woodland’s caddy) – WITB – 2026 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Adam Svensson – WITB – 2026 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Martin Laird – WITB – 2026 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Lee Hodges – WITB – 2026 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Aaron Wise – WITB – 2026 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Dylan Wu – WITB – 2026 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- AJ Ewart – WITB – 2026 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Pullout Albums
- New Graphite Design Tour AD shafts – 2026 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- L.A.B. Golf VZN.1i putters (new colors) – 2026 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
See what GolfWRXers are saying and join the discussion in the forums.
Aaron Rai upset the odds to win his first major championship on Sunday at Aronimink, firing a final round of 5-under par to see off his competitors and claim the winner’s check for $3,690,000.
Jon Rahm and Alex Smalley were the best of the chasing pack, with both men sharing runner-up spot which was good enough for each to receive a check for $1,804,000.
With a total prize purse of $20.5 million up for grabs, here’s a look at how much each player won at the 2026 PGA Championship.
Players who missed the PGA Championship cut each received $4,300 each.
1: Aaron Rai, $3,690,000
T2 : Jon Rahm, $1,804,000
T2 : Alex Smalley, $1,804,000
T4: Justin Thomas, $843,866
T4: Ludvig Aberg, $843,866
T4: Matti Schmid, $843,866
T7: Cameron Smith, $637,050
T7: Rory McIlroy, $637,050
T7: Xander Schauffele, $637,050
T10: Kurt Kitayama, $496,707
T10: Chris Gotterup, $496,707
T10: Justin Rose, $496,707
T10: Patrick Reed, $496,707
T14: Matt Fitzpatrick, $364,762
T14: Scottie Scheffler, $364,762
T14: Max Greyserman, $364,762
T14: Ben Griffin, $364,762
T18: Maverick McNealy, $229,128
T18: Jordan Spieth, $229,128
T18: Stephan Jaeger, $229,128
T18: Padraigh Harrington, $229,128
T18: David Puig, $229,128
T18: Harris English, $229,128
T18: Min Woo Lee, $229,128
T18: Joaquin Niemann, $229,128
T26: Nick Taylor, $125,523
T26: Alex Noren, $125,523
T26: Cameron Young, $125,523
T26: Andrew Novak, $125,523
T-26: Daniel Hiller, $125,523
T26: Tom Hoge, $125,523
T26: Sam Burns, $125,523
T26: Hideki Matsuyama, $125,523
T26: Bud Cauley, $125,523
T35: Christiaan Bezuidenhout, $78,805
T35: Patrick Cantlay, $78,805
T35: Ryo Hisatsune, $78,805
T35: Daniel Berger, $78,805
T35: Ryan Fox, $78,805
T35: Haotong Li, $78,805
T35: Aldrich Potgieter, $78,805
T35: Si Woo Kim, $78,805
T35: Martin Kaymer, $78,805
T44: Chris Kirk, $53,743
T44: Matt Wallace, $53,743
T44: Shane Lowry, $53,743
T44: Jhonattan Vegas, $53,743
T44: Denny McCarthy, $53,743
T44: Chandler Blachet, $53,743
T44: Taylor Pendrith, $53,743
T44: Dustin Johnson, $53,743
T44: Nicolai Hojgaard, $53,743
T44: Michael Kim, $53,743
T44: Kristoffer Reitan, $53,743
T55: Collin Morikawa, $34,186
T55: Corey Conners, $34,186
T55: Andrew Putnam, $34,186
T55: Brooks Koepka, $34,186
T55: Mikael Lindberg, $34,186
T60: Sami Valimaki, $29,218
T60: Sahith Theegala, $29,218
T60: Rico Hoey, $29,218
T60: Rickie Fowler, $29,218
T60: Brian Harman, $29,218
T65: Casey Jarvis, $26,900
T65: Jason Day, $26,900
T65: Rasmus Hojgaard, $26,900
T65: Keith Mitchell, $26,900
T65: Sam Stevens, $26,900
Justin Rose WITB 2026 (April): Full WITB breakdown with new McLaren irons
RBC Heritage Tour Report: More minis, course-specific setups, Spider & GTS launches
What’s the story behind Webb Simpson’s custom-stamped irons?
Cadillac Championship Tour Report: Spieth’s sizable changes, McLaren Golf launches, and more
Kristoffer Reitan’s winning WITB: 2026 Truist Championship
Cameron Young’s winning WITB: 2026 Cadillac Championship
Aaron Rai’s winning WITB: 2026 PGA Championship
Nelly Korda WITB 2026 (April)
Justin Rose on the switch to McLaren Golf, learnings from previous equipment moves
Photos from the 2026 PGA Championship
Patrick Reed WITB 2026 (May)
Driver: Titleist GT3 (9 degrees) Buy here. Shaft: Aldila Rogue Silver 130 M.S.I. 70 TX 3-wood: TaylorMade Qi35 (15 degrees)...
Aaron Rai’s winning WITB: 2026 PGA Championship
Driver: TaylorMade M6 (9 degrees) Shaft: Aldilda Synergy Blue 70 TX 3-wood: TaylorMade Qi10 (15 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Blue...
Michael Block WITB 2026 (May)
Driver: TaylorMade Qi4D (9 degrees) Shaft: Fujikura Ventus Black VeloCore+ 5 X 3-wood: TaylorMade Qi4D (15 degrees @14.25) Shaft: Mitsubishi...
Bryson DeChambeau WITB 2026 (May)
Driver: Krank Formula Fire Pro (6 degrees) Shaft: Project X Prototype 3-wood: Krank Formula Fire (10 degrees) Shaft: LA Golf BAD...
-
Whats in the Bag3 weeks agoKristoffer Reitan’s winning WITB: 2026 Truist Championship
-
Whats in the Bag2 weeks ago
Aaron Rai’s winning WITB: 2026 PGA Championship
-
Tour Photo Galleries3 weeks agoPhotos from the 2026 PGA Championship
-
Equipment2 weeks agoGolfWRX Launch Report: 2026 Titleist GTS drivers
-
Equipment2 weeks agoPGA Championship Tour Report: Fitzpatrick, Koepka among big-name putter switches for Aronimink
-
News2 weeks agoWITB Time Machine: Phil Mickelson’s winning WITB, 2021 PGA Championship
-
Equipment2 weeks agoWhich of Tiger’s major winning irons are your favorite? – GolfWRXers discuss
-
Equipment2 weeks agoLead Tape Report: Adjusting the swingweight of the Wanamaker Trophy
KEN jOHNSTOM
Dec 2, 2016 at 8:28 pm
There is no doubting that Tiger is amongst the greatest golfers ever and can still entertain and play some excellent shots. However, J.B., Henrik, Hideki, Dustin, Bubba, Rickie, Jordan, Patrick et al do not deserve to be relegated to having us watch only a couple of their putts, whilst we watch replay after replay of the guy who after all finishes second last in the field on the first day . He did well today, but is still in the middle of the pack. Get over him and show us the leaders TODAY please!!!!! I don’t want to watch Tiger mopping his brow or why he chunked a chip to the green for the second or third time, when I can be watching live golf. It was wonderful watching lots of different golfers when he was indisposed. PLEASE get us back to that scenario.
Andy C
Dec 2, 2016 at 3:46 pm
Looking at Tiger on TV now, to my eyes, he looks smaller. Maybe he lost some weight/muscle, or maybe wearing a bigger shirt. Less of a body builder like builds will suit him better. Only time will tell, but too much muscle can’t/couldn’t help with flexibility and his back before.
Hope that he will make some noise this year. Always fun to watch him on Sunday late afternoons.
Double Mocha Man
Dec 2, 2016 at 2:12 pm
A 65 today! Good for Tiger. I think he’s a more mature, more humble, more cheerful, more human guy these days. Hard not to like the guy again. But when he took off his cap on the 18th the dude’s got quite the bald spot. Happens to the best of us… though not to me.
Mongoose
Dec 2, 2016 at 2:05 pm
How many of us have a foundation that gives millions to kids, golf is a game, period…
Mongoose
Dec 2, 2016 at 1:41 pm
Who moves the needle more than Tiger, maybe Rory, or Day? Zero Americans… I would love to see Tiger make his competitors melt under his pressure. All the US players have bromances, zero fire… I miss that…
You like Dak
Dec 2, 2016 at 1:15 pm
Tiger Woods 79, You ?
4right
Dec 2, 2016 at 1:18 pm
Tiger haters-Zero
Keith
Dec 2, 2016 at 1:00 pm
To everyone bashing tiger please list your top 5 greatest achievements in your life or career and let us compare… Do any of you have majors? Pga tour wins? A billion dollars? Hmmm???? Don’t think so. Since most of us play golf because of this man and his greatness you should all quiet down and be thankful and happy he’s back playing
Rors
Dec 2, 2016 at 1:13 pm
Yes sir!!!
TexasSnowman
Dec 2, 2016 at 12:17 pm
As mentioned in the article, I would like to hear from Someone(Tom S?., Dennis C?, Cross field?) other than Brandel on Tigers ‘new swing’…..Brandel seems to think his right elbow is ‘behind him’ too much and he will need to rely too much on timing to be consistent, also that he is too steep, especially in the short game if I heard correctly. His First round was a 73 that should have been a 68; granted he stumbled at the end, but thats gotta be more encouraging that a scrambling 73 that should have been a 77.
Rors
Dec 2, 2016 at 11:40 am
Tiger has earned the right, let it happen, and for you all experts out there that can’t break 80, shut up…
Smokin' Gun
Dec 2, 2016 at 11:30 am
Let history decide, not some “never was” on the golf channel. The morning drive is bearable only because Gary W, Charlie R, and Chris DM, others are hacks…
Looper
Dec 2, 2016 at 11:16 am
Way to many Brandel Chamblees’ in this forum…
Par4
Dec 2, 2016 at 11:24 am
I will admit I’m a huge Tiger “golf” fan. I was glued to my TV yesterday from start to finish. At one point I muted the comments of Mr Chamblee, I get it, that’s what he is paid to do, but really!!! He was over the top critical of Mr Woods play yesterday. Tiger himself can’t live up to tiger of yesteryear, we all are aware of that. But IMO I feel to critique in that fashion you have to be at the level of the person you are talking about. I would understand Jack, or Arnie, maybe Lee, but who in the world is Brandel…
Leon
Dec 2, 2016 at 10:51 am
The M1 may serve him better. The M2 has too much draw basis. It is a great club, high launch, low spin, better sound and feel, plus very forgiving. But it is just overly early to turn to the left.
Mike Ryan
Dec 2, 2016 at 10:27 am
He’s done!
Dat
Dec 2, 2016 at 9:10 am
Fair assessment for once.
ooffa
Dec 2, 2016 at 9:00 am
Maybe next week he can play in an event with only 10 players. That way he can have a top ten showing in at least one tournament this year.
Bert
Dec 2, 2016 at 8:53 am
Interesting until he went south. Hope he plays well and not chunk another chip as he did yesterday He’s not in last place and only 1-shot behind many others. My bet is he’ll finish in the middle of the pack.
Double Mocha Man
Dec 1, 2016 at 11:01 pm
Hey… Tiger beat the Olympic Gold Medalist.
Guia
Dec 1, 2016 at 10:05 pm
Not a great day and he has always been renowned for erratic driver play. A 73 after a 16 month layoff from competition isn’t that bad for the first day. The field has only 18 players and he is in 17th place. However, he is only 1 stroke worse than: Bubba Watson E F E 72 — — — 72
T12 —
Brandt Snedeker E F E 72 — — — 72
T12 —
Zach Johnson E F E 72 — — — 72
T12 —
Patrick Reed E F E 72 — — — 72
T12 —
Brooks Koepka E F E 72 — — — 72
17 —
Tiger Woods 1 F 1 73 — — — 73
18 —
Justin Rose 2 F 2 74 — — — 74
Guys that have been playing regularly. Not a bad showing, he had I think 2 balls in the water and 1 unplayable lie and still managed a 1 over par.
I assume that there is no cut, it should be very interesting how he finishes out the week. If he could get to the middle of the pack I would consider it a very successful start.
I think we are all waiting to see how long physically he can endure. Anyone notice how lean he looked?
Uhit
Dec 2, 2016 at 5:18 am
I´m surprised how well he started the front nine…
…and I guess, he was just to nervous to keep this level up.
He probably has to learn (mentally) to accept, that he can compete successfully again.
Great to see him smile again!
erlybrd
Dec 1, 2016 at 10:01 pm
The game of golf will go on with or without Tiger. It had its moments in the sun with the rise of Tiger Woods, but it is now time to be in the shadows with other “sports” such as bowling and billiard.
It is a great game whether it’s cool or not, or with or without Tiger Woods.
The Truth
Dec 1, 2016 at 9:35 pm
I agree Steve. Tiger is going to keep on stinking up the joint until the back goes. I can’t wait to hear the excuses. Tiger is going down, like the syndrome.
Tal
Dec 2, 2016 at 4:29 am
The lack of respect for Tiger as a golfer from some people is incredible. He’s a hall of game golfer who has had multiple surgeries and yet people choose to belittle his achievements by attacking his swing and his recent form. There’s never any consideration for how mentally tough it must be to see this level of decline in your game and how frustrating it must be to come under constant fire, especially when idiots like you talk about him as if he has no right to be out there!
satch_boogie
Dec 2, 2016 at 1:26 pm
Totally agree with this. Arguably the best player ever to play. I want to see him out there playing.
Double Mocha Man
Dec 2, 2016 at 2:15 pm
I think for most people the lack of respect comes from his cheating on his wife 100’s of times. Few people, self included, disrespect his golf game.
skip
Dec 2, 2016 at 10:25 am
wow. classy.
Den
Dec 1, 2016 at 7:00 pm
I would think Tiger has herd all he wants to hear about the golf swing…after 79 tour wins I would think it is time for all “Instructors” to just drop it…if Tigers swing does not do it for him so what, he has already gained status as one of the best to ever play the game.
Tony L
Dec 1, 2016 at 7:34 pm
Totally agree. All the stinking experts no one has even heard come out of the blue when Tiger tees it up.
Golfbuddy
Dec 1, 2016 at 6:01 pm
He’s not, and nobody expected him to be, the same player he was, pre-injuries. Given the media microscope on him, and the changes he had to make, he did pretty well. I hope he’s around for the final day.
Patricknorm
Dec 1, 2016 at 4:45 pm
Regardless of what you think of Tiger it’s kind of inspiring to see an athlete that was clearly the most dominant in golf, fallen because of multiple back surgeries, play some decent golf today. He seemed to be sweating profusely not because of the heat, but because he was churning inside. Still a really up,and down round but given his injury history, I’d take a plus one result any day.
Like the announcers said many times , Tiger is the needle.
alexdub
Dec 1, 2016 at 4:42 pm
Considering he was sweating like he was on day two of a detox, +1 isn’t that bad.
Boobsy McKiss
Dec 2, 2016 at 12:21 am
LOL. I did notice the sweat pouring off his grill. Were the other competitors sweating as much?
Par4
Dec 2, 2016 at 11:34 am
I noticed that also, wow looked like he went thru a car wash at times…