Tiger Woods leads the Chevron World Challenge

Tiger Woods shot a solid first round of seven under par 65 to lead the Chevron World Challenge in Thousand Oaks, California. This is the first time since the Australian Masters in 2009 that he is at the top of the leader board. After a dismal season which saw him lose his No.1 ranking amid various personal problems, it seems that Tiger is finally making some strides.

Woods was solid from start to the finish. He made birdie on the entire par 5s, missed only two greens in regulation, and despite making only one putt longer than 10 feet, ended up matching his best score of the year. “Nice drive on 18,” he tweeted after opening with a 7-under 65.

It gave him a one-shot lead over U.S. Open champion Graeme McDowell and Rory McIlroy. Woods had been on eight under going into the final hole but sent his tee shot into the trees and bogeyed. His caddie, Steve Williams, noticed a marked improvement from the last time Woods played in Australia, where he finished fourth.

This is only his 16th tournament in eight months for Woods, having had a late start to the year and qualifying for the Tour Championship. This will be his final event until Torrey Pines next year, but it’s hard to tell whether he is finishing a tough year or making an early imprint on the next season. Woods has won his tournament the past two times he played, missing in 2008 because of knee surgery and last year because of the crisis unfolding in his personal life.