SAN DIEGO _ Teeing his ball up at 8:45 in the morning on the 10th tee of the Torrey Pines South Course was a rather inglorious way for Tiger Woods to start a Sunday round in the Farmers Insurance Open.
There was even some debate about he chose not to wear his usual Sunday red because he was so far off the chase.
It didn't seem to matter to his fans. By the time Woods made the turn at the 18th hole _ famous for his wild fist pumps in the 2008 U.S. Open _ there were thousands following him.
After a mere par at 18 to even for the day, a shoulder-to-shoulder human traffic jam ensued as he made his way to the first tee.
For those who stayed loyal to him, Woods gave them more to cheer than he had in the previous three rounds. The 14-time major winner made five birdies over the last nine holes to record a 5-under-par 67 that was his first round in the 60s here since he last won the Farmers in 2013.
In his first start of the new year after winning the season-ending Tour Championship in dramatic fashion, Woods finished at 10 under and tied for 20th place _ far more promising a result than his tie for 23rd (3 under) at Torrey Pines last year.
In scoring 70-70-71-67, Woods broke par in every round in the Farmers since his 2008 victory, when he cruised to win by eight shots.
"If you saw where I was Thursday and look at where I am at now, Sunday, I got a little bit better," Woods said. "I drove the ball better, hit my irons a little bit cleaner. Again, I hit good putts, some didn't go in, some did."
"Just continue on the track," Wood he said. "I have a couple more months of prep before April (and the Masters), so things are heading in the right direction."
Woods will make his next start in two weeks in the Genesis Open at Riviera Country Club.
Woods struggled most of the greens in the tournament, ending with a week-worst 30 putts in the final round, though he made 11- and 14-footers on the second and third holes. Putting on the poa annua greens always was his strength in the prime of his career.
"I know my putting will come around," Woods said. "Joey (caddie Joe LaCava) and I were both struggling reading these things. I struggled on my own. It was one of those weeks where I just didn't quite see the lines quite right. My speed was good, but my lines were just not every good."
As for the debate about his shirt, which featured thin stripes that could or could not be considered red, Woods was playful about it after the round.
Was he aware there was chatter about it?
"Yep," Woods said.
Did he have an answer?
"Yep," he replied with a grin and no further explanation.
