Tiger Woods began his seventh Ryder Cup appearance with a wild drive down Medinah’s first hole that left 2010 victorious European Team captain Colin Montgomerie very critical of a decision to use the driver.

The tee shot from the 14-time Major Champion was the poorest of all 12 players competing on day one of the 39th Ryder Cup.

Woods, rugged up on a chilly Chicago morning, had spectators running for cover on the occasion of his 13th Foursomes encounter with his erratic 316-yard drive down the left side of the fairway.

The American was forced to take a free drop from a hoarding that left Sticker with an awful shot into the green.

Monty, commentating for SKY TV, slammed Woods’ choice of club to start his seventh Ryder Cup appearance.

“Tiger has put his partner in real trouble here,” said Monty.

“I can’t see after Luke Donald found the fairway with a 3-wood why Woods had to go with the driver.

“It was one of the poorest drives that I’ve ever seen from a top player let alone in a Ryder Cup.”

And Woods poor drive immediately rekindled memories of his opening drive in the 2004 Ryder Cup at the K. Club when he sent a 5-wood into a lake.