Tiger Woods: His first day at Quail Hollow

DAVID SCOTT, Staff Writer

Tiger Woods: His first Tiger Woods' brisk walk toward his first golf swing at the Quail Hollow Club early Tuesday morning ended with a smile aimed at a tournament official stationed at the first tee.

Then Woods, making his first appearance in Charlotte for this week's Wachovia Championship at 6:40 a.m., bombed the first practice drive of the tournament through the chilly mist into the first fairway's left rough.

So the first mulligan of the week also belonged to Woods, and he split the fairway with his second try.

After partner John Cook hit, Woods drove his hands deep into his pockets to ward off the early-morning chill and headed off down the fairway.

Tiger-time had begun. About 40 fans watched Woods and Cook -- mostly Woods -- as they began their round, and that number increased dramatically through each passing hole until more than a thousand awaited for him at No. 18.

The round was casual, with both players taking several pitches and putts around each green. Woods didn't sign autographs -- "After we're done, no problem," he said to one fan who thrust a signature-ready hat at him -- until the round was finished at 10:20 a.m.

Then Woods strode up a hill behind the 18th green, signing as many autographs as he possibly could while walking quickly ahead.

Woods made his way toward the Quail Hollow clubhouse and walked across a patio and through the doors, alone. David Scott

Charlotte.com
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