Tiger Woods opened 2008 on a strong note, firing a five-under 67 on the first day of the Buick Invitational. His partner at Torrey Pines last year, Troy Matteson, led all golfers with 65; he and Woods were playing the meatier South Course. Brad Adamonis, out on the relatively lightweight North Course, banged home a 66, good for second.
Tied with Woods for third was his least-liked nemesis, Rory Sabbatini, who incurred Tiger's ire last year by pronouncing him "beatable as ever," then abruptly and bizarrely withdrawing from the Tiger-hosted Target World Challenge in December. Phil Mickelson, controversially wearing a new cap, clocked in at 21st with a two-under 70. (More golf stories.)