Woods shows signs of progression in opening round

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AKRON, Ohio -- After an unprecedented seven wins at Firestone Country Club, Tiger Woods should know the course better than anyone. Even so, he said he felt "pretty nervous" as he teed off on the first hole on a swealtering Thursday afternoon.

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And you know what? "It felt awesome," Woods said firmly, flashing that megawatt smile of his, the one that hasn't come easily of late.

Granted, Woods's first drive landed in a steep-faced fairway bunker. But he made par and proceeded to play steadily during the first round of the World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational, and the resulting 68 represented what Woods termed "big progress."

For the fans who have eagerly awaited Woods' return to the game after a 12-week layoff to heal the strained ligament in his left knee and the ailing Achilles tendon, though, Thursday was just big.

Some of those in Woods' ample gallery on Thursday got ahead of themselves, of course. When Woods threaded a shot out of a chute of humanity that settled just shy of the pond that guards the green at the par-5 16th on the way to a final birdie, one man gleefully predicted "He'll be there on Sunday."

Such optimism is to be expected. After all, over the years, we have learned to expect the unexpected from the former world No. 1. Whether Woods, who trails Adam Scott by six strokes, gets into contention for what would be his first PGA TOUR title in 23 months remains to be seen, though.

Thursday was the first step. Admittedly, a big one -- there's that word again. He didn't limp like the last time we saw him in competition, shooting 42 at THE PLAYERS Championship before the intense pain forced him to withdraw after nine holes. He showed no signs of favoring that knee as he lashed out with welcome abandon at that little white ball.

"It feels great, feels great," said Woods, who appeared relaxed playing with his good friend Darren Clarke. "As anybody who's been off and who's been injured, first time back, it's a little nervous to see what happens. But my practice sessions were good, so there's no reason why I should be worried out there. I went out there and just let it go, let it rip and see what happens."

Indeed he did. Woods said he actually struggled a bit with distance control on the stifling, muggy afternoon. The swing he's been renovating under the guidance of Sean Foley has come together -- just like Woods said had happened on the range at TPC Sawgrass back in May before the prolonged recovery raised so many question marks.

"I was hitting proper shots out there, and the distances I was hitting the golf ball (were interesting)," Woods said. "I hadn't hit the ball like this. This was fun, to be able to hit the ball with that much flush feeling through the golf ball and speed I had. It was pretty nice."

Woods said his previous method of attack was more of a "wipey" swing. Now he's getting what he calls a "full transfer of energy" and hitting the ball farther without as much effort. He hit nine drives of 300 yards or more on Thursday, including one of 338 on the ninth hole.

Woods missed fairways -- nine to be exact -- but those errant shots didn't stray too far into the rough. Woods hit 12 of 18 greens, made three birdies and came up with two big par saves from 17 and 20 feet on the front nine. He tied for second in distance of putts made and sixth in strokes gained putting.

Thursday was just part of what Woods calls a "progression," one in which we would be wise to give him some latitude. He is very pleased by the improvement he's seen on the range over the last few weeks and more importantly, the way he was able to put it into operation in the first round.

"Just when I think this is pretty good, I get a little bit better," Woods explained. "This one, Sean and I say, okay, that's wonderful position, that's where you need to get to, I get even better. That's what's fun about it is we keep refining it. Today some of the shots, some of the drives I hit out there, I got my power back."

Woods figures to see similar improvement as the week goes on. He's competed again; he's gotten back in the rhythm of hitting shots, shots that mean something. "(It's) way different than zipping around in shorts and a cart," a grinning Woods said. And it's what he does best, what he was trained from toddling to do.

And just when will Woods join his loyal fans and allow himself to entertain thoughts of an eighth title at Firestone?

"I thought about winning going in." Woods said simply.

What transpired on Thursday has done nothing to alter that outlook.