Tiger Woods shot a steady 3-under par 69 to lie three shots behind surprise leader Carl Pettersson of Sweden after the first round of the US PGA Championship at the Ocean Course.
Woods made six birdies, but bogeyed three times to end up tied for 14th, in a crowded field at 3-under.
World number one Luke Donald had a disappointing first round, managing only a 2-over 74, while Rory McIlroy carded a sparkling 5-under 67, to stay just one shot off the lead. Phil Mickelson, having a horrible time at the Majors off late, was seven shots off the pace at 1-over, with Bubba Watson for company, while Open Championship winner Ernie Els carded an even par first round.
Woods, looking for his first major in over four years, admitted early starters had an advantage, before the wind picked up and made it really difficult. "Well, I mean, geez, I'm playing with Keegan (Bradley, 4-under 68) and he's 3 under through two, and you look up on the board, some guys 4 under through six, a bunch of guys 3 under through five, a couple of them were 3 under through three," Woods said.
"So it's one of those days where everyone's going to shoot 6, 7, 8 under par, but the wind kicked up a little bit and it changed things quite a bit.
"If it had stayed pretty benign, I'm sure you would have had to have probably shot 5 under par to be in the Top 10. But things have changed.
"The wind has kicked up, and it's actually changed directions, too. When it first kicked up it was off the land and now it's off the ocean. Much different golf course now."
Woods hit 9 of fourteen fairways, while making 10 of eighteen greens, and was pretty satisfied with the performance. "I putted well on the weekend (at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational), made a few adjustments Friday night last week, and felt like I hit a lot of good putts," the 14-time Major winner said.
"Started the ball on my start lines again and I think I made six putts over 20 feet out there or something like that on the weekend, which is good. Came here with the same thoughts, same feels, and I made a few today.
"I played well today and anything in the 60s is going to be a good start in a major championship, and I'm right there."
Adam Scott put his British Open disappointment behind, starting the final major of the year with a solid 68. "So far, so good," Scott said. "It would be great to put two more rounds together and be coming here Sunday with a good look at the championship.
"If I don't, then I'll really feel like I've let it all slip this year for me. So I'd love to use this opportunity while I'm playing well to get in there and have a sniff on Sunday."
Mickelson, struggled throughout the round, and will be satisfied to come out of it with a decent 71. "I fought hard today and I kept myself right in it for the most part and should get a bit of a weather break tomorrow morning," Mickelson said. "It actually felt a little bit closer than it has in a long time. I felt good on the green. My touch was back. I started hitting some shots at some pins."
Pettersson was happy with his day and hoped to continue the good form. "There really wasn't much wind on the front nine, so I knew I had to keep going low because I figured the wind would get up," Pettersson said. "The wind started blowing a little bit on the back nine, and I carried on solid play. So it was a great day for me."
Along with McIlroy, Gary Woodland, Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano and Alex Noren are one shot behind the leader on 5-under 67.
