Troy Matteson shot a 65 to claim a one-stroke advantage after the first round of the Buick Invitational, but on his return to competitive action Tiger Woods stands just two back of the leader.
Playing on the tougher South course at Torrey Pines, venue for this year's US Open, Matteson carded eight birdies and just a single bogey as he forged to the top of the leaderboard.
He stands at -7, a shot clear of Brad Adamonis who posted a 66 on the more forgiving North course.
Indeed, ten of the top 12 scores of the first day came from the North course, the only other from those playing the South course to join Matteson in that group, perhaps unsurprisingly, was three-time defending champion Woods (-5) who shot a 67.
However, despite his score suggesting otherwise, the world number one endured a rather scrappy round with his driving somewhat errant.
Woods missed seven of 14 fairways but, in typical style, held his game together admirably to ensure he was very much on the pace by the end of the day.
