Scandal-hit Woods fires round of 68 on return to Augusta

Augusta (Georgia, US): Apr.9 (ANI): Returning from salacious scandals, Tiger Woods got off to his best start ever at the Masters on Thursday with a round of 68 and got favourable applause from the galleries. or the first time, Woods broke 70, the score he opened with in three of his four Masters victories. For the first time at Augusta National, Woods made two eagles in one round. For the first time since Thanksgiving, he was back inside the ropes.

"Actually, it felt normal. I just went about my business," The Daily News quoted Woods, as saying.

When one questioner asked what the day meant, looking for something deeper, Woods said, "It meant I'm two shots off the lead. That's what it means. I'm here to play a golf tournament."

He will start the second round tied for seventh place, trailing leader Fred Couples, his Monday practice partner, by two shots. But on a day when old-timers like Couples and Tom Watson ruled (in all, four players 50 and over broke par), Woods reminded them all that he is still Tiger Woods.

Woods, who wore his Buddhist bracelet for protection, agreed that it seemed as though he had never left. (ANI)