'I haven't played enough' - Tiger Woods after 10-over 80 at U.S. Open

Tiger Woods blamed a lack of practice for his 10-over 80 in the first round of the U.S. Open, with the 39-year-old finishing above just two other players on Thursday.

Woods, who has been battling a back injury throughout 2015 and is playing in just his fifth tournament this year, carded his worst U.S. Open round of his career at Chambers Bay Golf Club, as he finished 15 shots behind joint leaders Henrik Stenson and Dustin Johnson.

A dreadful back nine, including a triple-bogey on the par-four 14th hole, saw Woods limp to the clubhouse in Washington state, and although the veteran declared he was "not very happy", he seemed rather fatalistic about the situation.

"It's one of those things, just got to work through it," Woods said afterwards.

"I'm trying as hard as I can to do it, and for some reason, I just can't get the consistency that I'd like to have out there."

The 14-time major winner added: "I haven't played enough. I haven't had a rhythm to play.

"I didn't play much last year and I haven't played much this year. Knee surgeries are pretty easy compared to a back surgery, the recovery time. And for some reason, it's just a lot harder dealing with a nerve than a joint."

Woods only managed to finish ahead of playing partner Rickie Fowler as well as Rich Berberian Jr.

"The bright side is at least I kicked Rickie's butt today," he said in a light-hearted moment.

Woods began with consecutive birdies and never recovered.

"Got off to a bad start - I stuck that six-iron in the ground on the first hole and then just couldn't quite get it turned around today," he said.

Woods will play alongside Fowler and Louis Oosthuizen again in the second round on Friday with the golf icon teeing off at 8:28 local time (15:28 GMT).