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Returning Woods stumbles to a 77 with new swing

December 4, 2014

WINDERMERE, Fla. (AP) — Tiger Woods returned to golf Thursday and it was as if he never left — except that he looked healthy.

Woods flubbed four chips, had only four birdie chances inside 20 feet and stumbled to a 5-over 77 in the opening round of the Hero World Challenge. He was in last place among the 18 players.

Tiger Woods chips the ball with an awkward follow through on the seventh hole during the first round of the Hero World Challenge golf tournament on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2014, in Windermere, Fla. (AP Photo/Willie J. Allen Jr.)

Tiger Woods chips the ball with an awkward follow through on the seventh hole during the first round of the Hero World Challenge golf tournament on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2014, in Windermere, Fla. (AP Photo/Willie J. Allen Jr.)

It was his second return this year from an ailing back. He missed the cut at Congressional in his first start after back surgery. This time, Woods is coming back from injury and working with a new coach. The score was not a surprise. Woods showed ample amounts of rust, especially around the greens.

His lone birdie came on No. 12 when he spun a wedge back to tap-in range.