Tiger's Not-Triumphant Return, The Reviews

The less-than-positive takes here do not reflect the opinions of Kelly Tilghman--Official Team Tiger member--who, according to several readers, was making excuses for Tiger the entire Frys.com Open telecast Thursday, including the suggestion that caring for the children gets in the way of several tournaments and his game.

Actually, who am I to speak since I filed one of the more positive takes on Tiger's opening 73?

Robert Lusetich, not so positive.

Maybe Tiger Woods will be back, as he believes -- or at least says he believes -- and one day will break the record he's dreamed of since he was a boy: Jack Nicklaus’ 18 majors.

But after a shambolic opening-round two-over par 73 at the Frys.com Open -- where he played alongside a 19-year-old college kid, Patrick Cantlay, who comfortably beat him by four strokes -- has that day ever seemed so far away?

Brian Wacker took the Tiger v. Cantlay route. Also, not so positive.

If this were a football game, it would have been over at halftime, only with the unexpected outcome of UCLA over Stanford.

Steve Elling, also not wild about the performance.

There was plenty to rubber-neck about Thursday, when Woods' latest comeback was marked by so many sloppy shots and skids, it looked more like a crash on U.S. 101, the busy highway located just a mile or so down the hill.

Bob Harig, agreed with Tiger's assessment of Tiger's round.

It is no secret that the magic on the greens is missing and has been for some time.

That was evident again Thursday during the first round of the Frys.com Open at CordeValle Golf Club, where Woods walked off most of the slow, rain-soaked greens frustrated and shot a 2-over 73 that left him six strokes back of leaders Briny Baird and Brendan Steele.

It was a disappointing return to competitive golf for Woods, 35, whose year has been derailed by injuries and inactivity and who is going on two years without a victory.

Alan Shipnuck for golf.com, also saw nothing new from Tiger.

The return to glory will have to wait for at least one more day.

Jeff Rude, also sounding like he's not seeing anything new from Tiger.

We used to count Tiger Woods’ victories, birdies and wow moments. We used to marvel at his recurring brilliance. We used to make sure we never took our eyes off of him for fear of missing something remarkable.

We still are compelled to watch – but to see if he can recapture form. We still count – but different things such as bunkers found and short putts missed. And we’re still amazed – but because he remains stuck in the mode of just another guy.

Ron Kroichick says the glory days just do not feel like they are coming back.

Set aside the fixation with his changes under swing coach Sean Foley. No matter how much Woods tinkers with his full swing, no matter when he finally figures out his new move, he will remain mired in mediocrity if he putts like an ordinary tour pro.

That's what separated Woods from his peers. At his peak, when he steamed to victory after lopsided victory, he made practically every putt he needed. He never seemed to miss inside 10 feet.