Tiger Woods makes a statement

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Tiger Woods, playing in the Quail Hollow Championship in Charlotte, N.C., for the first time since winning the tournament in 2007, opened with a seven-under-par 65 today to take the early lead in the tournament.

Woods played the front nine (his final nine holes) in a blistering six-under 30 to tie the course record. The 65 is the lowest round for Woods since the Buick Invitational last year, a span of more than 15 months.

Think he’s back?

So much for the concern that his swing adjustments after nine months away from the game because of knee surgery are an issue.

Woods is the last person the other players in the field want to see atop the leaderboard. He’s probably the greatest front-runner in the history of the game, as his 14-for-14 record in major championships when entering the final round with at least a share of the lead shows.

--Mike James