He wasn’t beating himself up for hitting only six of 14 fairways, carding two double-bogeys and needing 31 putts, including three three-putts, to finish his round.
In his first start in nearly two months, Wolff had a roller coaster of a round on the South Course but was nonetheless happy with the results.
Just eight months ago, Wolff shot a 5-under 65, the lowest ever in a major at Winged Foot, to grab the 54-hole lead in the pandemic-delayed U.S.
Wolff finished in second and then tied for second in his next start at the Shriners Hospital for Children Open.
He withdrew after an opening-round 78 at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines in January and again after an 83 at the WGC-Workday Championship at the Concession in February.
I want to try to be strong for all the fans, but I guess I just am not that strong yet.
“I think I just put too much pressure on myself,” he said.
It was a stunning development for a player who became only the seventh tour player to win in his fourth career start or earlier after sinking a 26-foot putt on the 72nd hole of the 3M Open in July 2019.
Besides that Wolff, from Agoura Hills, California, is among the tour’s most popular players because of his unorthodox swing, which includes a demonstrative pre-shot left leg wiggle.
“So many millions and millions and millions of people would trade me in a heartbeat,” Wolff said.
“I think the hardest part is people, fans and stuff or anyone, unless you’re actually a professional athlete or playing a sport, you just don’t know the emotions that come along with it and how much you want to please everyone and play for your fans and on top of that make money,” Wolff said.
He also talked this week with fellow tour player Bubba Watson, who has been outspoken about mental health.
I feel like I hit the ball pretty far and I can get it out of thick rough.
He recovered to make the first of his eight birdies, which are tied for the most in an opening round at the U.S.