NASSAU, Bahamas -- Tiger Woods showed all the signs of returning to normalcy in his first competitive round of golf in 301 days. He hit the driver a Bahama mile. He rolled in five birdie putts. He shot 3-under 69. He never winced or limped.
But if there was a bigger indication that Woods was back, it might have been that Justin Thomas got the freeze-out.
The classic Tiger Woods freeze-out.
Woods and Thomas have become buddies in recent years. They both live in South Florida. They play friendly rounds together. One day after Thomas won his first major at the PGA Championship in August, he posted a photo of himself and Woods with the trophy.