After three holes at the Zozo Championship in Chiba, Japan, Tiger Woods looked like he was set for another disappointing performance while in search of his 82nd career victory and a tie with Sam Snead for the all-time lead.

    Then a funny thing happened: Tiger went on a roll and wound up the day tied for the lead with Gary Woodland. Tiger bogeyed holes 10-12 and parred No. 13. Then he went bananas. He birdied 14, 15 and 16 to quickly get back to even par, and added anther on 18 to turn in 1-under 35. On the front, he made four birdies on the first eight holes, then birdied 9 for a front-nine 29 and a 6-under 64, the first time he has been below 70 in the first round during the wrap-around season. On 9, he slammed his driver into the ground when his tee shot flared toward the trees on the right side. But the ball hit high on a big tree and bounced left into a pretty good spot in the rough. He then lofted a high iron to within five feet of the hole to set up his ninth birdie, all the while yelling "down, down, down."  

    Tiger and Woodland hold a one-stroke edge on Hideki Matsuyama, with Seminole Daniel Berger fourth at 3 under. Gator Billy Horschel is tied for seventh at 2 under. 

    There is no cut at the Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club with only 78 players in the field. 

    Round 1 can be seen on tape this evening at 6 p. m, and round 2 appears to be in danger of succumbing to bad weather.

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