Shank leaves Tiger with 1-over 72 in return to action

"Definitely nervous," Woods said of his emotions on the course. 

"I care about how I play and certainly I was feeling the nerves starting out."

The 15-time major winner carded five birdies and five bogeys through 17 holes, never lower than one under par or higher than one over. 

But he hit a surprise shank from the 18th fairway that sprayed far right.

"My back was spasming the last couple of holes and it was locking up. I came down and it didn't move and I presented hosel first and shanked it," Woods said, adding it had "definitely been a while" since he had shanked a ball.

"Other than trying to hit flop shots and other kind of weird shots around the greens, not from the position I was at."

Woods' recovery shot, a stinger past a large tree, gave him 15 feet for par but the ensuing putt slipped left of the hole. 

It was a common theme through his first round, with Woods totalling 30 putts.

"I struggled with the speed of the greens," he said. 

"I couldn't believe how fast they were today, even though I made a couple. I ran a bunch by the hole today. It was very stressful."

Woods hit eight of 14 fairways, topping out at 332 yards off the tee, but hit only 10 of 18 greens in regulation and was 2-for-8 scrambling. 

He admitted to being rusty, with the adrenalin of competition contributing to hitting the ball further than in practice and being off on his yardages.

Although Woods said his ankle felt fine, he acknowledged feeling soreness in his surgically repaired leg along with overall soreness and the back spasms.

"That's to be expected," he said. 

"That's nothing we weren't prepared for. We've got some work to do tonight and tomorrow."

At the third signature event of the 2024 season, the top 50 players and ties will make the cut after 36 holes. 

Woods ended the day in an 11-way tie for 49th, eight strokes behind clubhouse leader Patrick Cantlay (7-under 64).