He had been curious how occasions would go after the three-month shutdown due to COVID-19. Shortly after, the tour announced there would be no fans at any of the staying events this season.
On Thursday, the biggest distinction for Woods was he didnt need to make his method around a stockpile of fans trying to get an image of him or slap his hand as he strolled to the next hole. The bulk of people who followed Woods during the opening round at Muirfield Village were media members and tournament officials.
” Usually we have marshals and ropes,” he said. “Like for circumstances, on 16 and 17, it was great walking off the 16th green going straight to the tee rather of walking around. Its definitely different around here with a few of the strolls. You get from point A to point B extremely directly. I had not felt this ever here. Usually Im meandering roundabout, so it was a great feeling.”
Fans stood in their backyards yelling Woods name every chance they might over the course of 18 holes. Theres no doubt that Woods was still the main tourist attraction on a day when Bryson DeChambeau had 2 drives of at least 407 backyards– one topping out at 423 backyards. One man said, “Ive seen what I wanted, Im going back within,” after a second shot by Woods on the back nine.
Jamie Squire/Getty ImagesWoods, who utilizes the crowd to his benefit, has some adapting to do without fans. Theres no doubt a roar would have been heard from a range had spectators been in attendance when Woods rolled in a 9-foot putt for birdie on the very first hole. Rather, there were a few cheers from a nearby backyard, with Woods looking over and saying “Thank you” as he made his method to the next hole. He acknowledged those fans who snuck a peek with a nod or short wave throughout the round.
” I absolutely didnt have any problem with energy and not having the fans responses out there,” Woods stated. “I still felt the exact same eagerness, edginess, nerviness starting out, and it was good.
Woods back nine in his first round because February included a wedge shot that landed 4 inches from the hole for a tap-in birdie on No. 15, and a 14-foot birdie putt on No. 18. Those shots ended in relative silence, aside from playing partners Rory McIlroy and Brooks Koepka congratulating him.
“Certainly its a various feel, one thats a brand-new truth, and were going to need to get used to it,” Woods stated.
DUBLIN, Ohio– Next to play, Tiger Woods.
Silence.
No roars. No applause.
Invite back to the PGA Tour, Tiger, and welcome to how trip events are now being played. While the rest of the tour gamers have actually had five tournaments to get utilized to occasions without fans in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic, Woods didnt get a first-hand experience till Thursday during the preliminary of the Memorial Tournament.
” There were still a lot of moving carts and a great deal of media that were moving around, however the energy wasnt the very same without the fans,” Woods said after his opening-round 1-under 71, which left him in a tie for 18th and five shots behind leader Tony Finau. “That certainly was obvious, mainly different. But there were still a great deal of moving parts with video camera teams.”
” There were still a lot of moving carts and a lot of media that were moving around, however the energy wasnt the very same without the fans,” Woods stated after his opening-round 1-under 71, which left him in a tie for 18th and five shots behind leader Tony Finau. Fans stood in their yards yelling Woods name every chance they might over the course of 18 holes. One guy said, “Ive seen what I wanted, Im going back within,” after a second shot by Woods on the back nine.
Rather, there were a couple of cheers from a neighboring backyard, with Woods looking over and saying “Thank you” as he made his way to the next hole.” I certainly didnt have any issue with energy and not having the fans responses out there,” Woods said.
