Miami: Tiger Woods sank six birdie putts, including a spectacular 71-footer at the par-3 seventh hole, and leaped into second place with an opening four-under-par 68 yesterday at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
The 14-time major champion, among the early starters on a Bay Hill layout where he has won eight times before, showed the peak form that sparked his best finish in five years last week.
Patrick Reed also shot 68 to share second with Woods while Briton Justin Rose was in the clubhouse with a 69 to sit in fourth.
“It was just getting a feel for playing tournament golf again and I think I have it,” Woods said.
Three weeks before the start of the Masters, the year’s first major tournament, Woods showed none of the back pain that sidelined him most of the past two seasons.
The only reason Woods did not share the clubhouse lead in his final tuneup for the showdown at Augusta National was Jimmy Walker, the 2016 PGA Championship winner. Walker holed out from 132 yards for eagle on the 18th fairway to complete an opening 67.