K.J. Choi and defending champion Brandt Snedeker share a one-shot lead over eight golfers entering today's second round of the $6.1 million Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines Golf Club.
Six-time champion Tiger Woods is among 16 players four shots behind the co-leaders at four-under-par 68.
Woods began his round on the South Course by birdieing the par-four first hole but missed the green on the fourth hole and three-putted for a double bogey.
Woods had a birdie on the fifth hole, an eagle on the sixth and birdies on the eighth, ninth, 12th and 13th holes to go to six-under for the round.
Woods missed what he called a beautiful a 16-foot birdie putt on the 14th hole that would have put him in a tie for the lead, then bogeyed the 15th and 17th holes.
But he said he was happy with his round.
"After being one-under and then one-over, to battle back and get to six-(under-par) at one point was a good job," said Woods, who is playing in his first PGA Tour event of the year. He played in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship last week, missing the cut by one shot, in part because of a two-shot penalty.
"I felt like I was doing a lot of good things right last week," Woods said. "Unfortunately, only for a few days. I came out here today and basically did the same thing."
The second biggest name in the tournament, San Diego native and Rancho Santa Fe resident Phil Mickelson, shot an even-par 72 on the North Course, with four birdies and four bogeys.
Mickelson said he was "very lethargic off the first tee," but didn't "have a great reason" why.
"I seem to not be as focused on each shot as I need to be to be competitive," said Mickelson, who began his season last week by tying for 37th in the Humana Challenge.
"That's something I'm going to be working on (today) is getting a better mental picture of the shot I'm trying to hit and create it."
Mickelson said he did not hear any negative comments from fans about his remarks Sunday that he would make "drastic changes" because of increased state and federal taxes.
"There have been some good positive ones though," Mickelson said. Snedeker shot a bogey-free seven-under-par 65 on the North Course.
"I drove the ball really well, didn't make too many mistakes and when I did, my putter saved me which was nice," Snedeker said.
"It was a great day, but I realize we've got three more of them to go and I've still got the hard course to go, so not too much excitement yet."
Choi played the South Course, beginning his round on the back nine, birdieing the 13th through 16th holes, bogeying the 17th, and birdieing the 18th, sixth, seventh and ninth.
Tied for third at six-under-par-66 are Ross Fisher, Adam Hadwin, Billy Horschel, Charles Howell III, Luke List, Scott Stallings, Josh Teater and Mike Weir.
Reigning Masters champion Bubba Watson announced on his Twitter account before the round began that he withdrew from the tournament because of the flu.
"Don't have the energy for golf," Watson wrote. "Time to rest (and) be able to play next week."
The field of 156 will be cut to the low 70 plus ties at the conclusion of today's play.
