Woods, paired with Arjun Atwal at the Atlanta Athletic Club, was joined by teacher Sean Foley - who was adjusting and tweaking his star pupil's stance and swing throughout the round. Woods hasn't won a tournament since November 2009 and hasn't won a major since the US Open three years ago.
Atwal, though, said the 14-time major winner was starting to regain his swing.
"He looked good," Atwal said. "He's really flushing it and got that sound again. He just needs more repetitions."
Woods was surrounded by security guards after his round and did not speak to reporters. He had a news conference scheduled for Wednesday morning (local time).
He returned last week from a knee injury, tying for 37th at the WGC-Bridgestone.
Woods was easy-going with the large gallery that followed him over the front nine and took mobile phone photos at nearly every turn. He smiled at a little girl walking to the seventh tee and answered, "What's up?" after she called his name. He signed autographs for eager fans following the round.
When Atwal accidentally hit Woods in the leg with an easy practice chip, he asked, "Was that the bad leg?"
"It is now," Woods responded with a smile.
Woods hurt his knee at the Masters last April, then withdrew from The Players Championship after nine holes a month later when the pain got too great. He said he wouldn't compete again until he was fully healthy. Woods started with a 68 at Bridgestone, then gradually fell from contention.
The PGA Championship is the 35-year-old Woods' final chance this year to edge closer to Jack Nicklaus' record of 18 majors.
