World number one Tiger Woods was pleased with his first round of the year despite tour rookie Brandt Snedeker grabbing the limelight after carding a 11-under-par 61 at the Buick Invitational.

Woods carded two eagles and four birdies on his return to golf at Torrey Pines - but he didn't come close to matching the performance of his fellow American.

The 26-year-old equalled the North Course record for a two-stroke lead over Korean Charlie Wi, while defending champion Woods, seeking his seventh successive victory on his home circuit, finished the day five behind.

"He (Snedeker) was eight under at seven (holes) at the time. We all said, 'Okay, that might look like a misprint. It came up again, so obviously it was not a misprint," said Woods.

"I thought I did really well. I thought I drove it really consistently all day, a couple loose iron shots here and there, but once I got my speed on the greens and got adjusted to the speed, I was able to make some putts."

Snedeker, a graduate from last season's Nationwide Tour whose previous best round on the main tour was a 66, started out in quite amazing fashion with four birdies and an eagle followed by another two birdies - eight under for seven holes.

The Nashville golfer picked up another shot on the long 18th, his ninth, to turn in just 27 strokes. His outward half was a more sedate two under 34, but by then he had left the rest trailing in his wake.

Woods was two over after four holes, but after a hat-trick of birdies eagled the 18th and then added another on the 548-yard ninth, his last.

"I played phenomenal," said Snedeker. "I got a lot of breaks out there an it was a lot of fun.

"When I made the turn I was nine under, through nine and I tried to tee the ball up on number one (his 10th hole) and the ball fell out of my hand I was shaking so bad. That's when I knew I had a chance.

"It's pretty much a dream come true. To have a round like that to start my year."

Jose Maria Olazabal, who lost a play-off to the world number one in the event last year, was in joint fourth spot following a seven under 65.

Justin Rose and Greg Owen carded 68, while on the far tougher South Course Ian Poulter had a level par 72 and Brian Davis a 75.  PA