Two days after stressing the need for a fast start in his pursuit of a fifth major title, Rory McIlroy's prayers were answered on day one of the 120th US Open at a surprisingly benign Winged Foot.
Australia's Geoff Ogilvy shot five over par to win the last US Open at the venue in 2006, while American Hale Irwin was seven over in surviving the so-called "Massacre at Winged Foot" in 1974.
The United States Golf Association has come in for severe criticism in recent years for its course set-up, but McIlroy was among those who made the most of ideal conditions while they could on Thursday.
Woods, who missed his first cut in 38 majors as a professional at Winged Foot in 2006 following a nine-week lay-off after the death of his father, recovered from early bogeys to be level par after 16, only to bogey the 17th and take a double-bogey six on the last after duffing a pitch from short of the green.
American amateur Davis Thompson had been the early pacesetter after playing the first 11 holes in four under, but three late bogeys meant the 21-year-old had to settle for an opening 69.
England's Matt Wallace battled back from two over par after three holes to card a level-par 70, but US PGA winner Collin Morikawa returned a 76 and former Masters champion Danny Willett struggled to a 77.
