Even with Phil Mickelson grabbing a share of the lead and 60-year-old Tom Watson posting another turn-back-the-clock round in a major with a 5-under 67, all eyes were on the world's best player during one of the most scrutinized opening rounds in golf history.
No one was sure what to expect from Woods, a four-time Masters champion competing for the first time since a November night car wreck led to revelations of numerous extramarital affairs. But a 3-under 33 on the front side certainly answered the question on everyone's mind: How he would play.
He bounced back from his first bogey with two precise shots that set up a 10-footer for eagle at the par-5 eighth. When the ball dropped in the cup, patrons rose in unison to salute Woods, who delivered his first fist pump of the day.
But this round likely will be remembered for a shot Woods pulled off at the next hole. He yanked his drive left of the fairway, leaving him with a treacherous 5-iron that had to be hooked around the pine trees to reach an uphill green he could barely see.
Woods ripped into the ball with a powerful swing, then ran out into the fairway to get a look at the ball as it skidded onto the green, pulling to a stop about 12 feet above the hole. He rolled in the birdie putt, which put him on the leaderboard at 3 under for the first time, just two strokes behind.
