Struggling Woods near last after opening 75 at Northern Trust

NEW JERSEY: Tiger Woods struggled to a four-over-par 75 in the first round at the Northern Trust in New Jersey on Thursday (Aug 8), the latest indication that all is not well with the 15-times major champion’s surgically-fused spine.

Woods acknowledged as much on the eve of the first event of the PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup playoffs.

The 43-year-old teed off early in New Jersey with no fans in attendance due to damage caused by storms, but gave himself little chance of making the cut with a front nine marred by three bogeys and a double bogey, only offset by a single birdie.

Woods made the turn at a four-over 39, and at one stage found himself at T-58 among 58 golfers on the course.  

A birdie at the start of the back nine offered some hope, but Woods then missed a clean-up par putt from three feet two holes later.

Since ending a decade-long major drought by winning the Masters four months ago, his 15th major victory, the 43-year-old Woods has barely played outside the majors and has not impressed when he has competed.

Woods missed the cut at the PGA Championship and British Open and finished T-21 at the US Open.

He entered the week just inside the top 30 at number 28 on the FedExCup points list. He is assured of playing in next week’s BMW Championship in Boston, which is for the top 70 players in the points standings.

Even if he misses the cut on Friday, he will be assured of advancing to next week’s BMW Championship, but not guaranteed a start in the season-ending Tour Championship, where he won last year in a rousing performance that set the stage for his Masters triumph.

Fellow American Troy Merritt plundered nine birdies in a nine-under 62 to take the early lead.

Woods, the reigning Masters champion, has played a limited schedule this season in hopes of keeping himself healthy at age 43, but admits he has days when he faces major back issues and others when he can drive the ball with golf’s best.

“This is how it is. Some days I’m stiffer than others,” Woods said. “I was out there hitting it great. Driving it out there with Brooksy and DJ (long-hitters Brooks Koepka and Dustin Johnson).

“Today I’m stiff. Hopefully I’m not that way tomorrow,” he had said on Wednesday.

Agencies