With two eagles and a pair of birdies in the final eight holes, Tiger Woods turned around a watery start to shoot a four-under 68 and get within two shots of local favourite Chris Smith and Scott Verplank after one round of the Memorial Tournament.

Trying to accomplish what even he has yet to do as a pro - win the same tournament three years in a row - Woods shot a 30 on the back nine to leapfrog much of the field and move into contention.

He was in a cluster of players two shots behind the opening 66 posted early by Smith and matched late by Verplank. Jeff Sluman and Stuart Appleby were a stroke off the pace after shooting 67s.

"I felt if I could somehow hang around and get to even par, I'd be in great shape," Woods said. "It was definitely a bonus to end up in the 60s with the way I started off."

It took Woods some time to get into red numbers after a front nine that had the large throngs following him shaking their heads in disbelief. Woods dunked two balls into the water en route to a fat 38 on the front side.

He hit a seven-iron second shot into the water on the third hole and made double bogey, then hit a three-iron into the water two holes later, only to sink a clutch 10-footer for par.

By that time, Woods was just trying to grind it out and somehow find a way to get it back to par so he wouldn't shoot himself out of the tournament in the first round. He did that - and more.