Woods has won the last three Buick Invitationals at Torrey Pines

FIRST ROUND LEADERBOARD
(US unless stated):
-7 T Matteson
-6 B Adamonis
-5 T Woods, R Sabbatini (SA), S Appleby (Aus), K Streelman
Selected others:
-3 S Cink
-2 P Mickelson

World number one Tiger Woods lies two shots off the lead after the first round of the Buick Invitational after shooting a five-under par 67.

Woods' first PGA round of 2008 left him joint third, two shots behind Troy Matteson and one behind Brad Adamonis.

"I drove it pretty bad all day, but I kept hanging in there and managed to shoot a decent number," said Woods.

Three-time champion Phil Mickelson shot 70 at Torrey Pines, despite suffering from respiratory problems this week.

"I've felt better than I have in a long time so the last two days have been good," said Mickelson.

"I probably didn't play as well as I would have liked but I was able to get up and down and salvage some pars."

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Matteson, boosted by five birdies in six holes, swept to the top of the leaderboard with a birdie-birdie finish.

"Playing well here and getting off to a great start means a lot for me because the South Course is so difficult," said the 28-year-old Florida native.

"Most of us come in hoping to shoot one or two under on the South Course. I probably won't top that for a while."