Tiger shoots 65 at Barclays

PARAMUS, N.J. - Being the first to play on a Thursday morning, when the greens were pristine, was perfect symbolism for a man in search of a fresh start. Tiger Woods was in the first group only because he was so low (No. 112) in the FedEx Cup standings. What he did on the course was his biggest step yet in his effort to regain his normal place, in the final group on Sunday.

His 6-under-par 65 was a wakeup call for him, and possibly everyone else on the PGA Tour. Having risen at 3:50 a.m. for his 7:10 tee time, Woods quickly established that this finally was going to be his day. He made birdies on four of his first seven holes among the dew sweepers -- lingo for early morning golfers on a tour that puts the also-rans out first. By the time he was done, he was tied for first on the leaderboard.

It was only natural to think that he felt closure and relief after his messy and costly divorce was finalized, announced and commented-upon by his now former wife, Elin Nordegren. But he said, "I can't really say that's the case. As far as golf-wise, it was nice to put it together."

Woods explained his finest round of the year more in terms of the early makings of a potential new swing than the traces of a new life. He has yet to formally name Sean Foley as his official swing coach and has not acknowledged that he has fully bought into his fourth new swing as a pro golfer. Still, he had not hit those "hundreds of balls" in practice for his health. He had to make some swing changes.

"Well, it was backswing, downswing and follow through. Other than that, it was good," he said.

He was good and ready for the first of the four PGA Tour playoff events, knowing he does not have his usual fee pass into the latter stages. "I have to play my way into next week," he said.

The best way for him to get on with his life is to get on with his work. Woods has worked hard with Foley, hitting balls in his bare feet to slow down and improve his balance. So far, so good. Woods played it smart -- hitting driver only twice. The second was his favorite shot of the day, "a low bullet fade right around the corner," he said, that set up a 7-iron approach that buzzed the hole, a seven-foot birdie putt and a mini fist pump.

"It's exciting to hit the ball flush like this again," he said. "It's something I've been missing all year." No kidding. Since the scandal that erupted late Thanksgiving night, his game has been off the map. Before yesterday, he had not broken 70 in 11 rounds and had not held the lead in a PGA Tour event since the 2009 Tour Championship.

"I don't think anybody is surprised when he plays well," said Vaughn Taylor, who also shot 65. "It's good to see him back up top. It's been a tough year for him. So many distractions. I think only he could deal with it."

One way Woods has dealt with his meltdown was practicing with his friend and Isleworth neighbor Arjun Atwal, the former Clarke High and Nassau Community College star. Each has encouraged the other. Atwal isn't here this week because he had not earned enough in tournament winnings to keep his PGA Tour card.

Woods spoke Thursday of how Atwal earned his way into the Wyndham Championship last week in a Monday qualifier and won the tournament.

"Arjun's a great guy. I know how much effort he has put into it," Woods said. "I know the changes he has made in his swing and the physical ailments he has had. To get through all that and with all the swing changes, then have to go through Monday. He did it and won.

"That is a great story," said Woods, a man trying to rewrite his own story.