Tiger Woods earned a unique but unwanted distinction on the opening day of the Players Championship at Ponte Vedre, Florida.
Woods was the only player to find water so far right at the par three eighth hole on route to a one over par 73 in the $US 10m event.
In contrast, there was 21 players including Scot Stephen Gallacher who made a splash at the famed island green par three 17th, and with Gallacher taking a double bogey before signing off for a level par 72.
It left the Scot trailing only five shots behind the leading trio that included Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama.
Woods is a two time TPC Sawgrass former champion, including capturing the event two years ago, but even he didn’t know there was water hazard some 40 yards right of the green.
He said: “I’ve never seen that hazard before and I didn’t even know it was where to now (smiling).
“But the tee shot was just one of those things Chris (Como – coach) that he and I are working on, and when I start feeling a certain way I revert back to my old habits.
“And I did revert back to my old ways and just barely made contact (smiling).
“Though I have to say that round today was about the highest score I could have shot today.”
However there was a lot of good in Woods round including a chip-in for birdie at 17. (See the video courtesy of www.pgatour.com)
German and defending champion Martin Kaymer, who played alongside Woods, shot a three under par 69 to be tied in 11th place with World No. 1 Rory McIlroy.
And McIlroy silenced any suggestions of a new rivalry with World No. 2 and Masters champ Jordan Spieth ending the round six shots in front of the Texan.
