Open favourite Tiger Woods was made to work hard for his level par round 71 at Royal Lytham, but said he was satisfied with his efforts.

"I was working my butt off out there," said Woods.

"I didn't hit the golf ball as well as would have liked and I couldn't make any putts.

"But I didn't hurt myself and I have kept myself in it.

"Hopefully I will be good for the second round."

Woods started off brightly and was one under before he dropped a shot on the fourth and then endured mixed fortunes on the back nine.

The American was relieved that there was not a repeat performance of his first round of 74 at the US Open last month.

"At the US Open I didn't get off to a good start," he added.

Woods also was not concerned about the fact that he had found four bunkers after not landing in one on his way to winning last year's competition at St Andrews.

"The way these bunkers are placed it is impossible not to hit them. At least at St Andrews you can avoid them - here you can't do that," he said.

"Sometimes a bunker shot is an easier shot.

"I feel pretty good I kept myself at even par and I am still in the championship."