This was only supposed to be a tune-up for the upcoming U.S. Open. Even so, Tiger Woods was buried down the leaderboard after his opening round at the Memorial tournament.
Woods went into the clubhouse tied for 51st after carding an even-par 72 Thursday. He bogeyed the first and sixth holes before notching birdies on holes No. 9 and No. 10.
Prior to the start of the tournament, Woods told reporters that his injured neck was feeling better, although not quite where he wanted it to be.
Of course, Woods famously quit during the final round of his previous tourney, the Players Championship. The Memorial will be his only competitive tune-up before the U.S. Open at Pebble Beach in two weeks.
Meanwhile, there was a three-way tie for first atop the leaderboard between Rickie Fowler, Geoff Ogilvy and Justin Rose. Each golfer carded a 7-under 65 at Muirfield Village (Ohio). Woods is the defending champion.
