Tiger Woods showed flashes of his brilliant best as he made a solid start to his first US PGA Tour event in 12 months after undergoing spinal fusion surgery.
The 42-year-old carded a respectable round of even-par 72 at Torrey Pines, to be seven shots behind big-hitting first round leader Tony Finau at the Farmers Insurance Open.
Finau's seven-under 65 on the North course gave him a one-shot lead over fellow Americans Ryan Palmer and Ted Potter Jr.
A 14-time-major champion, Woods also showed signs of rust having not competed in a full-field tournament since withdrawing from the Dubai Desert Classic last February.
"It was fun, it was fun to compete and feel that competitive rush again; with a scorecard in my hand," he said.
Highlights of Woods' opening round included a near hole-in-one on the par-3 16th, which would've been his first ace in 20 years, and another stunning approach to within two feet on the par-4 10th.
The 79-time US Tour winner hit 12 of 18 greens in regulation, carded 31 putts and showed no lack of power with an average of 299 yards (273 metres) from the tee - prompting playing partner Patrick Reed to claim Woods was "insanely long".
But an inaccurate driver saw Woods hit just eight of 14 fairways on Torrey Pines' difficult South course.
Woods says he felt "fine" with his highly-anticipated comeback, but insists much sharper iron play will be needed if he is to make his first cut on the US Tour since the 2015 Wyndham Championship.
"I've got to hit my irons a little better ... I didn't hit them very close, I didn't give and it's hard to make a lot of birdies when you don't give yourself many (chances)," said Woods.
A bumper crowd lined the fairways of the course where Woods has won eight times, including his last major championship victory at the 2008 US Open, and gave him a glowing reception.
Meanwhile, Matt Jones was the leading Australian after day one courtesy of a 69 on the North course leaving him tied 15th at three under.
"The North course is a lot different than it used to be; the pins weren't accessible and greens were tough so I'm satisfied," said Jones, the 2015 Australian Open winner.
Countryman Rod Pampling (70) shares 35th at two under, one shot ahead of Marc Leishman and Cameron Smith (71).
Victorian native Aaron Baddeley carded a 72 to sit alongside Woods and newly-crowned Australian Open champion Cameron Davis.
Jason Day, the 2015 winner at Torrey Pines, shot 73 while former US Open champion Geoff Ogilvy struggled with a 76.
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