Tiger, Masters Get Off To Terrific Start

Well, that answered some questions.

Tiger Woods' 4-under par 68 in the first round of the Masters wasn't just a triumph over nerves, rust and the residue of his personal problems.

It was also the best score he's ever shot in the first round of the Masters -- by two shots.

"Very pleased," Woods said of his first competitve round in more than five months.

It left Woods within two shots of the lead, held by Fred Couples and it made him part of a spectacular leaderboard that was stuffed with stars and storylines.

There was 60-year old Tom Watson sitting one shot behind his Champions Tour colleague Couples. Lee Westwood, the fourth-ranked player in the world, is a shot off the lead as is K.J. Choi, Y.E. Yang and a fellow named Phil Mickelson.

Then comes Woods in a group with the pastel-plated Ian Poulter, Anthony Kim and Nick Watney.

For Woods, the day was an enormous success. It began with him ripping a tee shot down the middle of the first fairway with seemingly the whole world watching. He made a solid par at the first, made his first birdie at the third hole and turned in 3-under 33 after an eagle at the par-5 eighth.

Woods made his second eagle of the day at the par-5 15th hole, vaulting him toward the front of the pack. It's the first time he's ever made two eagles in one Masters round. He had a short birdie putt on the 18th hole that missed, leaving two behind Couples.

For all the concerns about how Woods might be treated, it felt like old times. He was cheered at every hole and, other than a plane that flew over head pulling a banner that read, 'Tiger, Did You Mean Bootyism' at the start, there were no issues.

"It felt normal," he said. "The reception was incredible."