European Tour Members Ernie Els and John Daly made impressive starts in the EDS Byron Nelson Championship by firing six under par 64’’s to lie alongside American Brett Wetterich in a share of second place, one adrift of leader Stuart Appleby of Australia.
World Number Three Els, was in stunning form on his return to America, carding a bogey free six under par 64 at the TPC Four Seasons Resort Las Colinas in Irving, Texas.
Els has won three times this season on The European Tour International Schedule including a 13 stroke victory in the BMW Asian Open.
"I hit a lot of balls in Beijing, and yes, that weekend I started hitting the ball better and things started coming around," said Els. "Obviously at Shanghai I was surprised as you guys to win by 13.
"I'm working on the right stuff, I've just got to keep doing that, and just keep grinding.
"I've just got to stay sharp. I'm feeling good.”
Crowd favorite Daly was also set to sign for a flawless round until a bogey at the par four 18th resulted in his only blemish on an otherwise error-free performance.
Another European Tour Member Vijay Singh, winner of two of the last three US PGA Tour events, opened with a two-under 68 in a rollercoaster round including five bogeys and seven birdies.
"I played okay," said Singh, who would reclaim the number one ranking from Woods with victory. "I played six, seven holes pretty good and six, seven holes pretty badly and six, seven holes okay. I made seven birdies and five bogeys, so that's very inconsistent. It was pretty difficult out there."
South Africa's World Number Five Retief Goosen settled for an even par 70, while Spain's Sergio Garcia began the defence of his title with a one-over 71.
Winner of the season-opening Mercedes Championships in January, Appleby made a near perfect start, mixing eight birdies with a single bogey to lead a field including the top five players in the world.
Following his victory in Hawaii Appleby returned home to Australia for the birth of his first child but has yet to recapture his brilliant early season form having missed the cut in two of his last three events.
"I'm probably three or four tournaments down in my schedule over this year, and that always happens when you have a new addition," Appleby said. "I don't sit out on the course and wish I was home being a father.
"When I'm out on the course, I'm out on the course.
"I played okay last week, didn't really seem to get much out of my golf and I didn't putt very well.
"I putted quite poorly, but today I managed to aim the putter in a better direction than what I was aiming it all askew last week."
