Woods gets back on track

Tiger Woods made an impressive return from injury as combined with Justin Rose to shoot a nine-under par round of 63 in their better-ball partnership on the first day of the Tavistock Cup in Florida.

Woods was representing Albany against Lake Nona, Isleworth and Queenwood in the annual two-day four-club challenge.

The 14-time major-winner was back in action eight days after pulling out of the final round in the Cadillac Championship with an Achilles tendon strain.

“I did the smart thing and prudent thing this time, hence I’m back in a week,” Woods said.

“I’ve done it before and played through not just pain, but injury and set myself back quite a bit. That’s what I did last year and missed two major championships because of it.

“I want to be ready for Augusta (the Masters starts two weeks on Thursday).

“I have to do the right thing. Unfortunately there are times when I’ve played when I probably shouldn’t have and it’s cost me.”

Woods and Rose opened with two birdies, had four more in five holes to turn in 30 and reached 10 under before neither could par the 16th.

Isleworth were the early leaders, Sean O’Hair and Bo Van Pelt being 12 under with two to play in the six-a-side competition, which concludes with singles matches on Tuesday.

O’Hair and Van Pelt finished with a 13-under round of 59, the best score of the day by four, and on a cumulative 26 under as Isleworth led by two from Lake Nona, with Albany one further back and Queenwood trailing on 17 under.