Despite a tough day playing from the sand, round and behind trees, Tiger Woods shot a 5-under 67 in the first round of his 2008 PGA Tour debut at the Buick Invitational at Torrey Pines. The effort left him tied for third, two shots behind Troy Matteson.

Woods is going for his fourth straight Buick Invitational title. Phil Mickleson opened his season with a 70.

Meanwhile, Golf Channel anchor Kelly Tilghman returned to the airwaves, issuing a 21-second apology at the start of the telecast Thursday. It was her first appearance after serving a two-week suspension for saying Woods’ peers should “lynch him in a back alley.”

At WorldGolf.com Equipment Editor Kiel Christianson reviews Nike Golf’s IC 20-20 Putter.