PO’IPU — Any other golfer would’ve faltered, but not Tiger Woods, who fought through the effects of a stomach virus to take the first round lead at the PGA Grand Slam of Golf, yesterday, with a 5-under par 67. Woods,
PO’IPU — Any other golfer would’ve faltered, but not Tiger Woods, who fought through the effects of a stomach virus to take the first round lead at the PGA Grand Slam of Golf, yesterday, with a 5-under par 67.
Woods, who made it back to the Grand Slam of Golf for the first time since 2002, suffered early on, but found his touch after warming up.
“My nausea went away and I just had some cramps, but that’s something you just deal with,” Woods said.
Phil Mickelson, last year’s winner, finished three strokes back of Woods with a 2-under-par 70. Meanwhile, first-timer Michael Campbell carded a 1-over-par 73 and Vijay Singh put up a 3-over par 75.
Woods, who won five straight Grand Slam tournaments, from 1997 to 2002, didn’t surprise his opponents at all with his scorching first round.
“There’s an old saying, ‘Beware of the ailing golfer,’ and whenever he’s complaining, we know we’re in trouble,” Mickelson said.
After the front nine, Mickelson led with a 3-under-par, while Woods, Singh, and Campbell shared the score of 1-under-par.
Woods won both the British Open and Masters en route to his appearance in the event. Mickelson triumphed in the PGA Championship and Campbell, who felt like he was at home on Kaua’i, earned the U.S. Open title.
“This is like home away from home for me,” Campbell said.
Singh made it into the Grand Slam as an alternate.
The final round of the PGA Grand Slam of Golf will start at 12:10 p.m. today.
