Tiger Woods moving toward top of 2013 Farmers Insurance Open leaderboard

Tiger Woods has started his 2013 PGA Tour season, and through nine holes, the No. 2 player in the world is 4-under. Woods had a roller coaster start to his round at the South Course at Torrey Pines, opening with a birdie, but then carding a double-bogey on No. 4.

Woods struggled with his driver at the start of his round, missing left on the first three holes. On the fourth, he could not recover from the wayward drive and flew his approach shot into the crowd, three-putting and making the double to fall to 1-over. But Woods quickly erased the lost shots on the fourth hole.

He was perfect tee-to-green on the short par-4 fifth hole, hitting wedge to 10 feet and draining the putt for birdie. On the sixth hole, Woods sank a bunker shot for eagle to get to 2-under for the round. He was subdued as the ball rolled in, acknowledging the crowd, but taking his eagle and moving on. One hole later, some more solid work out of the bunker saved par to keep him at 2-under. Woods would add birdies on the eighth and ninth holes, as well, lofting another lengthy greenside bunker shot within five feet of the cup on No. 9. At 4-under, he’s one shot back of the lead while playing the more difficult track.

Tied for the lead midway through the first round is Brandt Snedeker, the defending champion at this event. Snedeker is 5-under through 14 holes, tied with four others for the early lead.

Phil Mickelson, who struggled last week at the Humana Challenge, is off to another listless start and is just even-par through 14 holes. Mickelson is playing the much shorter and easier North Course, where players need to post a low number before shifting to the South Course for the rest of the weekend.

For a live leaderboard, visit Golf.com.