Woods opens with a 70 at the Masters

Augusta, GA – Tiger Woods posted a 2-under 70 on Thursday and is four strokes off the lead during the first round of the 77th Masters.

The four-time Masters champion mixed three birdies and one bogey in his opening round of 70.

Woods exited the course at Augusta National tied for 10th place. His tie for 40th last year was his worst finish as a pro at Augusta National.

The three-time winner this year ran off five straight pars to open his round. Woods got on the board with a 4-foot birdie putt at the sixth.

Woods got up and down for birdie on the par-5 eighth to move to minus-2. He parred four in a row around the turn. Woods notched the third birdie of his round at the 13th, where he two-putted from some 60 feet out.

At the 14th, Woods stumbled to the lone bogey of his round. He had some birdie chances coming in, but was unable to convert. Woods parred the last four to finish four off the pace after one round.

"I played solid today and got a good round out of it," Woods stated. "I felt like I putted well today. I left myself some pretty good little par saves and I was able to make those. You continue hitting greens and continue putting the ball in the right spots. I didn't leave myself the easiest of putts today."

Three of the previous four times Woods opened with a 70, he went on to win the title.

Woods trailed Marc Leishman by four when he finished his round, while David Lynn and Rickie Fowler finished their first rounds two shots off the pace.