NASSAU, Bahamas — A year ago, Tiger Woods returned to golf alongside Justin Thomas in the Hero World Challenge at Albany Golf Club.
A year later, Woods will start the second act of his remarkable comeback to golf once again alongside Thomas.
The two are paired in Thursday’s first round, going off at 12:05 p.m. ET. Woods and Thomas have become good friends, playing together often before Woods returned to the game last year in the Hero, a tournament that benefits his foundation.
Woods tied for ninth last year as Rickie Fowler took home top honors. Fowler begins defense of his title alongside Dustin Johnson.
Six of the top 10 players in the world are in the 18-man field, and 11 of the top 15. The top-ranked player in the field is No. 2 Justin Rose.
Last year, Woods was ranked 1,199th when he took to the first tee. He’s moved up to No. 13 in the world on the strength of his victory in The Tour Championship – his first win since 2013 – runner-up finishes in the PGA Championship and Valspar Championship, a fifth-place finish in the Arnold Palmer Invitational and a sixth-place finish in the British Open.
The year far exceeded even Woods’ expectations. Now, as he closes out the year and sets his sights on 2019, his expectations have risen and his peers – and fans – await Woods’ next act.
Thursday's first round
11:10 a.m.: Tony Finau, Gary Woodland
11:21: Keegan Bradley, Hideki Matsuyama
11:32: Patrick Cantlay, Xander Schauffele
11:43: Justin Rose, Henrik Stenson
11:54: Jon Rahm, Alex Noren
12:05: Justin Thomas, Tiger Woods
12:16: Rickie Fowler, Dustin Johnson
12:27: Patrick Reed, Bubba Watson
12:38: Jason Day, Bryson DeChambeau
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