Tracking Tiger: Observations from Tiger Woods’ return to Phoenix Open

Jan 30, 2015, 1:28 AM | Updated: 1:29 am

Arizona Sports

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Thursday afternoon under cloudy skies and with much fanfare, Tiger Woods made his return to the TPC Scottsdale for the Waste Management Phoenix Open.

This is the first time Woods has played in the tournament since 2001. He got off to an incredibly rocky start, but rebounded over the final holes to finish with a 2-over-par 73.

But what was the scene like Thursday in Woods’ return to the Valley?

So…many…people…

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With a saguaro cactus dwarfing him in the background, Phil Mickelson tips his visor to the crowd after making a birdie on the 12th hole during the first round of the Waste Management Phoenix Open golf tournament Thursday, Jan. 31, 2013, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Phil Mickelson pumps his fist after making birdie on the 16th hole during the first round of the Waste Management Phoenix Open golf tournament Thursday, Jan. 31, 2013, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Rickie Fowler tees off on the 15th hole during the first round of the Waste Management Phoenix Open golf tournament, Thursday, Jan. 31, 2013, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Phil Mickelson tees off on the 12th hole during the first round of the Waste Management Phoenix Open golf tournament Thursday, Jan. 31, 2013, in Scottsdale, Ariz.(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Phil Mickelson chips to the 15th green during the first round of the Waste Management Phoenix Open golf tournament Thursday, Jan. 31, 2013, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Ryo Ishikawa, of Japan, hits from the first fairway during the first round of the Waste Management Phoenix Open golf tournament, Thursday, Jan. 31, 2013, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Phil Mickelson reacts to the crowd after missing a birdie putt on the ninth green during the first round of the Waste Management Phoenix Open golf tournament, Thursday, Jan. 31, 2013, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Ryan Palmer reacts to his missed birdie putt on the ninth green during the first round of the Waste Management Phoenix Open golf tournament, Thursday, Jan. 31, 2013, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Brandt Snedeker waves to the crowd after finishing the first round of the Phoenix Open golf tournament Thursday, Jan. 31, 2013, in Scottsdale, Ariz. Snedeker finished the first round with a 7-under par 64.(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Jesper Parnevik, of Sweden, waves to the crowd after finishing on the 18th green during the first round of the Waste Management Phoenix Open golf tournament Thursday, Jan. 31, 2013, in Scottsdale, Ariz.(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Padraig Harrington, of Ireland, watches his birdie putt attempt just miss the cup on the ninth hole during the first round of the Waste Management Phoenix Open golf tournament Thursday, Jan. 31, 2013, in Scottsdale, Ariz.(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Mike Weir, of Canada, waves to the crowd after finishing on the 18th green during the first round of the Waste Management Phoenix Open golf tournament Thursday, Jan. 31, 2013, in Scottsdale, Ariz.(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Stephen Ames, of Canada, hits his approach shot into the 18th green during the first round of the Waste Management Phoenix Open golf tournament Thursday, Jan. 31, 2013, in Scottsdale, Ariz.(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Y.E. Yang, of South Korea, hits his approach shot into the 18th green during the first round of the Phoenix Open golf tournament Thursday, Jan. 31, 2013, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

With the gallery in the background, Jeff Overton putts onto the 18th green during the first round of the Waste Management Phoenix Open golf tournament Thursday, Jan. 31, 2013, in Scottsdale, Ariz.(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Nick Watney signals wide left from the fifth tee as Bubba Watson stands behind during the first round of the Phoenix Open golf tournament, Thursday, Jan. 31, 2013, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Bubba Watson hits from the sixth tee during the first round of the Phoenix Open golf tournament, Thursday, Jan. 31, 2013, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Defending champion Kyle Stanley hits from the eighth tee during the first round of the Phoenix Open golf tournament, Thursday, Jan. 31, 2013, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)

Russell Henley hits from near a tree on the eighth hole during the first round of the Waste Management Phoenix Open golf tournament, Thursday, Jan. 31, 2013, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York)

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