Tiger Woods starts well in Farmers Open at Torrey Pines

Former world number one Tiger Woods made a decent start to his 2011 season, firing an opening-round, three-under par 69 at the Farmers Insurance Open.

With the first winless season of his career now behind him, American Woods hit three birdies in a flawless round on a near-perfect day at Torrey Pines.

It left him five strokes behind leader Kang Sung-hoon, from South Korea.

Kang birdied his final two holes to finish with six overall as well as an eagle to end up eight under par.

American pair Alex Prugh and Rickie Fowler were a shot behind the South Korean on seven under with US compatriot Chris Kirk finishing day one on the North Course with a round of 66.

The best score on the South Course was 67 by American John Daly.

Back at Torrey Pines for the first time since his stunning play-off win at the 2008 US Open, Woods teed off on the back nine and made his first birdie at the par-three 12th where he struck his tee shot to four feet.


With hardly a breath of wind to bother the golfers, it seemed likely Woods - playing on the North Course - would pick up at least two more shots before the turn but wayward drives at the par-five 14th and 18th cost him birdie chances.

Watched by a surprisingly small gallery numbering around 200, Woods birdied the second and then got to three under after sinking a 25-footer at the par-three sixth, where he sank to his knees in relief.

He lipped out with a birdie attempt from 10 feet at the par-four seventh and failed to birdie the par-five ninth after driving into a fairway bunker.

Woods, who was engulfed by a sex scandal at the end of 2009, spent much of last year unsuccessfully trying to repair his marriage and also undergoing the fourth swing change of his career.

He finished the 2010 PGA Tour season without a single title for the first time since he turned professional in 1996 and was deposed as world number one by Britain's Lee Westwood at the end of October.

However, since Woods joined forces with Canadian swing coach Sean Foley after the PGA Championship in August, his form has steadily improved and he began this season with high hopes.

"I'm happy with the way I played, absolutely," said Woods.

"It could have been a lot better if I took care of the par-fives a little bit more, but I didn't do that.

"Hopefully on the South Course tomorrow I can take care of the par-fives and put together a little bit better round."

He added: "You can't make these putts above the hole on the North Course. I knew that from years past and this year's no different.

"They just move too much, and most of the putts I had today were breaking."


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