Woods has twice come into a major after a long lay-off, with mixed results - he missed the cut in the 2006 US Open at Winged Foot after his father died, and he won the 2008 US Open at Torrey Pines while playing on a seriously injured left knee.
Woods, a three-time winner at the venue at Cog Hill near Chicago, mixed seven birdies with a single bogey for a 65 as he chased the 60th title of his career.