Tiger Woods made a 71-foot birdie putt on the par-3 8th hole on Thursday in Round 1 of the 2018 Arnold Palmer Invitational to get to 4 under and take the early lead in the event. Woods, who was 3 under on his front nine, double bogeyed the third hole before bouncing back with birdies at No. 4, No. 6 and No. 7 to set the early pace at Bay Hill.
The craziest of them was also the deepest. Because Woods was on the fringe, this actually upped his strokes gained around the greens to No. 1 in the field after this hole. He's been great with his wedges, for sure, but obviously making a birdie like this provided a lot of the juice to that number.
Tiger has won this event eight times in his career.
People everywhere took notice of the ridiculous putt. North Carolina basketball coach Roy Williams, who you'd think would have bigger things to worry about right now, was among them.
“My opening statement is I saw that Tiger Woods just birdied. He’s four under with a double bogey.” - Roy Williams
— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) March 15, 2018
But it wasn't just Williams. Everyone is paying attention to Tiger at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, even during March Madness.
Tiger Woods said let’s go to Augusta today
— Cris Carter (@criscarter80) March 15, 2018
@TigerWoods you are ridiculous 🔥🔥🔥 that putt on 17 wow!
— Derek Carr (@derekcarrqb) March 11, 2018
I’ve just found myself punching the air in my hotel room in India when @TigerWoods makes a par putt... 😂 #comeon #comeback #GOAT @PGATOUR
— Edoardo Molinari (@DodoMolinari) March 9, 2018
I’m going to say it people!!!!Tiger Woods is baccccccccck!!!!
— jerryrice (@JerryRice) March 15, 2018
Tiger Woods drops 71-foot BOMB to take the lead at Bay Hill. https://t.co/9qcQYvenvW pic.twitter.com/vfq3gC0eRE
— Riggs (@RiggsBarstool) March 15, 2018
Tiger Woods straight clowning out here! From way downtown, BOOM!
— Jason Whitlock (@WhitlockJason) March 15, 2018
Tiger follows the double with 3 birdies in the next 4. SOLO LEADER IS TIGER WOODS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
— Norm Macdonald (@normmacdonald) March 15, 2018
Tiger Woods, oh my gracious. #ArnoldPalmerInvitational #APInv pic.twitter.com/1U6UL8R8ZQ
— Cam Rogers (@MrRogers99) March 15, 2018
The NCAA Tournament is here & Tiger Woods is sitting at the top of a PGA leaderboard.
— Devin Walker (@Devin_Walker5) March 15, 2018
All is good with the world right now.
Tiger Woods turning back the clock has everyone talking, and for good reason. Between his wedges and his putts, he's giving everyone reason to believe that this time, the comeback is for real. A 71-footer is incredible. But for Tiger, it feels like a return to the mode.