“Hold off!”: Tiger Woods snaps at the cameraman at the PGA Championship, asking for some “air to breathe”… en route to a four-over-par 74 shot in the opening round at Southern Hills
- Tiger Woods got off to a great start to his PGA championship on Thursday
- The 46-year-old stingered a drive down the fairway on his opening hole
- The media streamed after Woods as he cautiously walked down the tee
- The 15-time major champion became unhappy with the proximity of the cameras
Tiger Woods lost his temper on the first game in Southern Hills when he got into a heated argument with a TV cameraman just after his first tee at the US PGA Championship.
The 46-year-old continued his comeback after his horrific car accident that nearly cost him his right leg last year while teeing off at golf’s second major in 2022 on Thursday.
The 15-time major champion was limping noticeably during his practice rounds earlier in the week, often using a golf club as an assist.
Tiger Woods snapped a cameraman during the opening round of the US PGA Championship
After hitting a stinger on a drive in the middle of the 10th fairway at his opening hole, he cautiously made his way to the tee.
All eyes in the crowd were on the great golfer, as were the cameras, but Woods wasn’t happy with the close proximity of the cameraman.
“Give me some air to breathe, please,” Woods said.
He then repeated the remark to the media in tow before waving his arms in disbelief and getting even more angry.
The 15-time major champion walked cautiously down the 10th tee box after his drive
He kept asking the media for a breather and grew increasingly angry
Raising his voice slightly, he added, ‘Hold back a little and give me some more breathing room.’
Woods then shrugged and continued to close in on the ball before chipping at close range and pocketing his birdie putt to move through the first.
His round didn’t continue that well, however, as although he added two more birdies to his card, he ended up with six bogeys with four overs.
Woods made a sensational return to the course in April when he surprised the golfing world by not only playing the Masters but making it through the weekend.
After a stinger off a tee shot, Woods birdied the first hole of his opening round
But his round didn’t continue the same way as he fell back to 16 on two-overs
A month later, he continued his comeback to the US PGA, stressing that he felt “stronger” ahead of the tournament.
Southern Hills is believed to be an easier course for him to walk as it’s ironically flatter than the Hills Augusta, contrary to what the name might suggest, but Woods still seemed to make his way through the corner on the opening lap battle.
Woods played alongside Jordan Spieth, who has a chance to end the career grand slam this week, and Rory McIlroy.
The Northern Irishman got off to a flying start as he carded an opening 65 to take an early one-shot lead.