Charlotte (United States): Anirban Lahiri had a disastrous finish as he dropped four shots in the closing three holes to end at five-over 76 on the opening day of Wells Fargo golf tournament here, Thursday.
Lahiri will need a very low second round to ensure he stays on for the weekend. Lahiri, now lying tied 128th, continued to miss short putts. Thursday, he missed at least four putts inside six-and-a-half-feet and a few others between 10-15 feet.
On a day when nothing went right for him, the Indian golfer had four bogeys, one double bogey and a couple of birdies.
Meanwhile John Peterson, 29, made back-to-back eagles on par-5 seventh and par-4 eighth and added three more birdies on back nine for a splendid six-under 65 to emerge sole leader. He has declared that he will walk away from golf if he doesn’t earn enough money to keep his card in three events.
Tiger Woods returned to the Quail Hollow course after a six-year absence and shot a modest 71, which pegged him at tied 34th. Woods had back-to-back birdies on the holes where Peterson made his eagles, getting him to one-under. However, two bogeys derailed his efforts.
“I struggled with my speed all day,” Woods said. “It’s weird. The greens are slow. They’re springy and firm. I struggled making the adjustments today.”
Woods, healthy again after a spinal fusion more than a year ago, is playing his seventh tournament of the year. He said he was now in ‘playing shape’ and the goal is ‘just trying to get a little better’.
Rory McIlroy, a two-time winner at Wells Fargo, was among 10 players at 68. Paul Casey and Jason Day were among seven players at 69.