Tiger admits to soreness after uninspiring 78 at Royal Portrush

Tiger Woods got off to a sluggish start Thursday at Royal Portrush, carding a 7-over 78 to mark the worst first round of his Open Championship career.

With windy and damp conditions present throughout his entire opening round, Woods looked uneasy from the start. He made a noticeable wince after his opening tee shot found the left rough, indicating some sort of discomfort.

The 43-year-old - who was playing in his first competitive round since June's U.S. Open - sat at 7-over through 14 holes before carding his lone birdie of Round 1 on No. 15.

His only bright spot was quickly erased with another bogey on No. 18.

After his round, Tiger admitted he was sore and couldn't move well or shape the ball. He was headed for treatment afterward, saying it's "Just the way it is. Just the way it's going to be," according to Golf Digest's Brian Wacker.

Woods is 12 shots behind clubhouse leader J.B. Holmes, with his focus likely shifting from winning The Open to finding a way to make the weekend.