Woods opens with a round 69 at Riviera, 5 behind the lead

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The scene was similar to the last time Tiger Woods played against the best in the world. The public invaded each balcony on all floors of the Riviera clubhouse, hoping to catch a glimpse of the star’s unusual participation.

And Woods made sure that crowd of onlookers caused more of a stir in the end.

He performed at his first competition in seven months. He closed with three straight birdies and a big smile after going 2 under 69.

That left him five shots behind Genesis Invitational leaders Max Homa and Keith Mitchell.

Woods went from the bunker to the fairway and into the bunker on the 10th hole, and had to hole an eight-foot putt to clear the bogey. On the 12th he was wild off the start and incurred another bogey, which left him for par even on a mild, windy afternoon.

In the end, it looked like the woods of old. A tee shot five feet from par-3 16. Another 25-foot birdie at par-5 17. And a great shot, a few yards longer than Rory McIlroy’s, bound for 18, who left the table ready to solve with the 9 iron, seven feet.

“I was able to react and make this work,” Woods pointed out. “It was a great ending.”

Although they hurt, her legs held up. The ultimate challenge was getting them up those 52 steps to the clubhouse to sign their card.

The idol will soon have to take the next step. He finished his round around 5 p.m. local time. You must start the second at 7:24 in the morning.

Homa played in the morning and finished with three straight birdies for a score of 64. Mitchell was active in the afternoon, scoring a pair of birdies on the final two holes to share the lead.