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Tiger returns with 1-over 73 at Hero World Challenge

Christian Petersen / Getty Images Sport / Getty

After an excellent start, Tiger Woods struggled on the back nine and carded a 1-over 73 in his return to competition at the Hero World Challenge.

He's tied for 17th, with only Justin Rose shooting a worse score, a 2-over 74.

Tiger picked up his fourth shot after three consecutive birdies beginning on No. 6, and was flirting with the lead through eight holes. But he coughed up strokes on the par fives in the middle portion of the course before tumbling all the way down the leaderboard with a double-bogey-par-double-bogey finish.

He explained afterward that his struggles were rooted in inaccuracies off the tee.

"It could have been something really good today," Tiger told Golf Channel after the round.

He added: "If you're driving it great here, man you can take advantage of this golf course. You can tear it apart. But if you're not, and you end up in some bushes, some rocks, then it can go sideways.

"But all in all, I feel pretty good. And I'm looking forward to another three more days."

Despite the late-round collapse, Tiger remained relatively upbeat in his post-round interview. He took comfort in the fact that he settled almost immediately in his first competitive round in 15 months.

"By the time I hit my tee shot on the second hole, I had already gotten into the flow of the round. For me, when I have taken layoffs, and taken breaks, it's (been) how quickly can I find the feel of the round. To get that on the second hole was nice."

J.B. Holmes leads the tournament after shooting an 8-under 64. Hideki Matsuyama sits a stroke behind, and Dustin Johnson two back.

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