Tiger Watch, Round 1: Woods shoots 1-over 73 in Augusta return

Two shots back of Rory, but nine off the lead.

Tiger Woods' Masters return is just about how you look at it. 

The former world No. 1 ground through his opening round at Augusta National, finishing with a 1-over 73 in his first appearance on Tour in two months. 

"It was a good day. I felt good out there," Woods said. "I made probably two dumb mistakes out there, but other than that the only thing I really struggled with was the pace of the greens."

He carded three birdies, scratched down four bogeys and, despite his current ranking (tied for 41st), Woods will be in the hunt to make the cut with a similar performance Friday. 

Obviously, Tiger is held to a different standard, but this can't be viewed a failure, considering the lack of tournament golf he's played recently.

However, his 73 ends a six-year run of par-or-better scores in first rounds of major championships.

- With files from The Associated Press