CHIBA, Japan - It was just a single round, of course, so there is a reluctance to draw too many conclusions.
But after seeing Tiger Woods in his skins game appearance Monday, during the pro-am on Wednesday and now after a first round 64 at the Zozo Championship, it is clear there is a physical difference from just a few months ago when the Masters champion was having trouble completing pro-am rounds.
Woods looks good, and appears to be swinging easier and without pain. There's always the chance that something else occurs, but clearly the back stiffness that plagued him for most of the summer and the knee problems that led to surgery in late August impacted his play.