Tiger Woods struggled for form even in the relaxed atmosphere of the JP McManus Invitational in Ireland.
Woods still struggling for form in Irish Pro-Am
Tiger Woods failed to show any signs of climbing out of his slump in form as he struggled even in the relaxed atmosphere of the JP McManus Invitational in Ireland.
The world number one could still not find any form as he could only card a disappointing seven-over round of 79 at the Adare Manor Golf Resort.
Less than 24 hours after his 46th place finish at the AT&T National in Pennsylvania on Sunday where he failed to break par in any of his four rounds, Woods joined his fellow golfing greats and stars of sports and screen in the event.
Of course in this unranked, charity event in County Limerick featuring Hollywood celebrities, Irish billionaires and top notch golfers, not too much could have been expected of him in his first overseas event since revelations of his string of extramarital affairs shook the world last year.
This especially as he was bound to be jet-lagged after his hurried trans-Atlantic overnight flight.
Disappointing
But such is the high level of his heroics of the past, his 79 with its six bogies, one double bogey and lone birdie at the 17th on the 7,453-yard, par-72 Adare Manor Golf Resort almost certainly did come as a disappointment to the 40,000 fans who came out to see him in action.
Woods played alongside three amateurs and clearly enjoyed the reception he was given even when his golf let him down, and the 14-time major winner left the course without talking to reporters.
Woods is planning to fly home to Florida after Tuesday's second round before returning to the UK for next week's Open Championship at St Andrews.
In the meantime, two-time Open winner Padraig Harrington says Woods' poor form right now is no reason to underestimate his Open chances.
Harrington believes that the Old Course is ready-made for the 34-year-old Woods who has already won the Open there twice - in 2000 and 2005.
"There is no doubt that if Tiger hits form he's comfortably the favourite to win any of the majors and St Andrews sets up very well for him," Harrington told reporters at Adare Manor on Monday.
"Tiger has an advantage that he spins the ball very well. He's the number one player at getting the ball to finish closest to where it lands out there and St Andrews requires that because of the firmness of the greens.
"He's very capable of winning without hitting his very best form. Is he about to hit that? I wouldn't write him off, that's for sure."
