THOUSAND OAKS, California, (Reuters) – Tiger Woods put himself in position to end a forgettable year on a triumphant note by charging one shot clear in the Chevron World Challenge first round yesterday.
Seeking his first victory of 2010 in his own tournament after becoming engulfed in a torrid sex scandal at the end of last season, Woods fired a sparkling seven-under-par 65 at Sherwood Country Club.
Although he recorded his only bogey at the par-four last after pushing his tee shot behind a tree, Woods matched his lowest score of the year to finish one shot ahead of Britons Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell in the elite field of 18.
Woods, whose last tournament victory came at the 2009 Australian Masters, opened with a 65 at the PGA Tour’s Barclays tournament in August and fired another 65 in the second round of the Deutsche Bank Championship the following week.
He also recorded a 65 in the final round of last month’s Australian Masters.
“I played good today,” Woods told reporters after recording birdies on each of the five par-fives. “I really striped it. I hit a lot of good shots.
“It’s not too often I can say I shot 65 and only made one putt, but that’s kind of what I did today,” added the world number two who totalled 32 putts on smooth-running greens.
“I only made one putt and it was on (hole) nine. The rest were either two putts or kick-ins. It was a good ball-striking day.”
Asked if he was back to his best after struggling on and off the course since his private life unravelled at the end of last season amid sordid revelations of serial philandering, Woods replied: “It’s a process.
Log into your account
Log in for full access to stabroeknews.com. You can also post comments, and manage your email subscription.
