Five-times champion Tiger Woods embarked on a sizzling run of four consecutive birdies after the turn to storm into contention at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in Orlando.
Playing only his third event of the year after being sidelined by knee injury for eight months, the American world number one fired a two-under-par 68 in the opening round at Bay Hill Club.
Woods mixed five birdies with one bogey and a double-bogey, at the par-five sixth, to end a blustery day three strokes behind pacesetting American Jason Gore.
With only 21 players breaking par, Padraig Harrington was in a large group of players on level par after shooting a 70.
'I held it together with some good up-and-downs toward the end of the front nine and on the back nine, I started it hitting better,' the 33-year-old Woods told reporters.
'I made some putts and consequently I got it under par.'
Defending champion at Bay Hill, Woods is bidding for a record sixth victory at the PGA Tour event hosted by Palmer.
After struggling with his putter last week on his way to a tie for ninth in the WGC-CA Championship at Doral, he was delighted to regain his touch on the greens.
'I just scored,' said Woods, who shut down his 2008 campaign after winning the US Open in June to have reconstructive knee surgery.
'I didn't get anything out of my rounds down there at Doral but I probably got the maximum out of my round today.'
Gore, playing this week on a sponsor's exemption, birdied three of the last four holes to grab a one-stroke lead over fellow Americans Tim Herron and Jeff Overton.
'I was hitting some good shots all day and just finally got a few things to click,' Gore said after hitting a seven-iron approach to three feet at the last and knocking in the putt.
'I guess I didn't even realise what I was doing. I was just trying to stay focused over the shot and try to execute it the best I can. I think most of my goofs come from lack of focus.'
American Kenny Perry, who claimed the 2005 title at Bay Hill opened with 70s while 2007 winner Vijay Singh of Fiji battled to a 74.
