NOT quite a miracle.
It's unlikely that we'll be able to declare it before Sunday night.
Woods displayed little rust during his first PGA appearance since 2020
Five-time Masters champion birdied the sixth hole, 13th, and 16th holes while bogeying both the 8th and 14th.
The fuchsia shirt Tiger Woods wore around Augusta National shined as brightly, however, as did the determination and spirit of the man who wore it.
Woods proved that his insatiable desire to be free from all forms of physical and mental anguish over the past 14 month was not diminished by every careful, deliberate step.
This was not Tiger of old, with his pomp and taking Augusta apart, making his rivals shake.
It is the best. He knows more than anyone how an old lady can bite, if you allow her to.
Woods instead played alongside Louis Oosthuizen, Chilean Joaquin Niemann and demonstrated his unwavering determination to get the most out of his efforts.
Yes, there were some errors, one shocker at 14 was the most notable. This could have stalled the whole round, after another missed eagle opportunity at 13.
His chipping was sometimes worse than mediocre. One pathetic effort saw him throw the F-bomb with a scream of frustration.
Even his iron play was not perfect, as he found the fairway's surface too often.
Woods was forced to putt for par every time he had to, delighting the enormous galleries who accompanied him along the 7,510 yard route.
He converted a 29-foot right to left slider for birdie, on 16; it was an incredible moment that drew a huge celebration from everyone.
It was his first round of competition in 17 months, and he was still unsure if he would walk again. To shoot a 1-under par 71 was incredible.
Augusta was made even more difficult by two days of torrential rainfall.
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The American sports fan is the most passionate about a comeback story.
Woods's remarkable recovery from car accident injuries that left him permanently scarred on his body and mind is unlike any other comeback story.
Every fan of the game has reminisced about the journey from the hotel to the Masters.
This may have explained the strange, quiet atmosphere around the first tee as Woods was about to drive off.
Woods leaned on his leg to support himself while he read the greens.
It was tension that was real, and it was made more intense by the whoops and roars that had been accompanying his arrival just two minutes before.
No one knew what to expect, whether it would be the next chapter in an amazing story or the end of his career.
Woods' limp seemed to change in direct relation to the shot that preceded it, which only added to the intrigue.
He was able to walk almost normally when he was in the right spot.
The pain seemed to be stronger if he got out of line or fell short.
However, psychological or not, it did not matter where the ball ended up.
It was genius to find a way that it would score at par or better on all 18 holes, except two.
Woods' tee shot was on the sixth hole, at just two feet. The fans were standing 12 deep behind the green and couldn't contain their joy when he hit it.
Augusta patrons cheered Woods as he made his way through the famous course
Amazingly, after only one shot from the lead, he had a chip of stone dead from the front.
The eighth was the first to show signs of internal tension. An awful chip brought a four-letter outburst and another racing past. A miss from nine feet brought bogey.
Critically, however, he shot a 10-footer downhill for par at nine after another uncontrolled chip - after Niemann had sunk his second from 105 yards. He also kept his nerve on the tremblers at 10 & 11.
After a stunning second from the corner, he was able to score a 54th career birdie.
Woods' foot fell as he drove wildly right into the trees. He felt a real jolt in his stomach, and tried to keep his "game face".
The pine straw trickled just above the green's back, and his recovery was spectacular. However, his attempt to hole it back resulted in a second shot being dropped, groans, and a swish from his putter.
The putt at 16 was arguably his most memorable Masters moment of 2005. It brought back all those memories. Impossible, but somehow inevitable, his final hole scramble for Par, sinking it from 10ft, summarizing the round.
Woods might not win the tournament. He has won the largest battle.
Woods listened to the applause while he headed for the 18th green and into the clubhouse.
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