Woods wins in Match Play first round

Tiger Woods has advanced to the second round of the Accenture Match Play Championship with a 3&2 victory over Brendan Jones.

The world number one’s return to competitive action went according to plan with a victory despite some signs of rustiness.

Woods announced his return with a birdie three at the first hole and was conceded an eagle putt at the second but Jones showed good resilience and won his first hole at the seventh.

He sealed his comeback victory with a par and a half on the sixteenth. “I felt good,” said Woods.

“I got off to a quick start which certainly helped. I hit some good shots early. I hit some loose irons in the middle part of the round but then got it back. I thought I hit it good all day except for just a couple of loose irons.”

“I feel like we haven’t been gone. It felt like business as usual. We just got up there. I thought I would be more nervous than that but I went back to old basics.”

“It felt good,” Woods said of his knee. “It held up. I feel good now. I am sure I will be sore a little bit later but ice and elevate and I will be good to go tomorrow.”

Woods will now face Tim Clark who beat compatriot Retief Goosen by the same 3&2 scoreline in his match.

It’s hist first competitive golf since he limped away from victory at the US Open last June. He has his sights set firmly on The Masters in Augusta at the beginning of April and the signs are looking ominous!