Tiger Woods shot a first round six-under par 66 that ties him for the lead with Bubba Watson, Graeme McDowell, Sergio Garcia and Freddie Jacobson at the WGC-Cadillac Championship.
His round included nine birdies and bogeys at Nos. 3, 13 and 14. It was his lowest round of the year thus far and puts him in a strong position heading to the weekend.
Woods has already collected a win on the PGA Tour this season when he won at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines. He missed the cut in Abu Dhabi in Janurary and was knocked out in the first round of the WGC-Accenture Match Play.
He posted three even-par 70 rounds at the Honda Classic last week but soared to a four-over par 74 on Sunday when the winds kicked up at PGA National to drop all the way down to T-37.
This is his third consecutive week of play on the PGA Tour and he seems to be very comfortable with his swing and around the greens.
He will only play one more event prior to the Masters, the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Woods is the defending champion at Bay Hill and has won that event seven times.
With Rory McIlroy still struggling, a high finish or win at Doral this week will move Woods closer to the No. 1 spot on the Official World Golf Rankings.
Winds were not a problem at Doral on Thursday and players were able to take advantage of favorable pin positions. If the winds are up on Friday the scores will increase dramatically.
Bubba Watson was the runner-up at this event last year. Watson made seven birdies with just one bogey for his 66. Watson is finally recovering from a virus that affected his play on the West Coast.
After a long layoff, Graeme McDowell is only playing in his third event of 2013 and appears to be shaking off some of the rust that was evident in his first two starts.
Sergio Garcia has been playing at a high level since last year. He is one of the best drivers and iron players in the world. With the numerous water hazards that litter the course, Doral demands accuracy off the tee and to the greens. Sergio could be someone to watch come Sunday.
Freddie Jacobson has started 2013 with three top-10 finishes in his five starts. He made it to the third round of the WGC-Accenture Match Play. He finished third at the Northern Trust Open at Riviera when he bogeyed the 72nd hole and finished one shot out of the playoff with eventual winner, John Merrick and runner-up, Charlie Beljan.
A win here plus another at Bay Hill in two weeks would give Woods three wins in 2013 and give him tremendous confidence heading into the Masters.
He has been stuck on 14 major titles since winning the 2008 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines.
If he is going to catch Jack Nicklaus’ major titles record it is time to get back in the winners circle.