Answers at Players are blowing in wind

So what was the strangest news from Thursday’s first round of the Players Championship? Was it that Tiger Woods did not have a birdie for the first time in more than four years, or that Phil Mickelson’s swing didn’t wobble at all even though he was playing in a virtual wind tunnel?

Or was it stranger still that it didn’t rain?

It was a weather trade-off. The wind blew at 25 mph most of the day with occasional gusts of more than 40 mph. Big-time, pants-flapping, flagstick-bending breezes are far from the best conditions for scoring, but it didn’t bother Mickelson, whose five-under-par 67 tied him for the lead on opening day with a chatty Rory Sabbatini.

As for Woods, his three-over 75 included two three-putts and no birdies. The last time Woods failed to make a birdie or eagle was in the first round of the 2003 Masters.

Afterward, Woods headed to the clubhouse instead of the driving range. By 5:30 p.m., the range was deserted and so was the putting green, a rare sight at any tournament, especially noteworthy at a $9-million showcase event.

“The wind is blowing so hard the ball is not really flying,” said Woods, who parred his first 12 holes. “You can’t really get a read on how it’s flying.”

Meanwhile, Mickelson got off to a flying start. He began with consecutive birdies and also finished with flair, rolling in a 50-footer to birdie his 17th hole, the par-three eighth.

For a guy whose swing is still a project, it wasn’t a bad start.

Mickelson said his work in progress with swing coach Butch Harmon is starting to pay off already.

“The biggest thing that I’m noticing that’s taking adjustment is that I’m not curving the ball as much right-to-left or left-to-right.... The ball is not having as much sidespin,” he said. “It seems to be a much straighter flight.”

Chris DiMarco birdied three of the first four holes and wound up with a four-under 68, joining Sabbatini, Mickelson and Peter Lonard (69) as one of only four rounds in the 60s on a blustery, slightly muggy opening day at the renovated TPC Sawgrass.

Sabbatini had six birdies, one bogey and not a single complaint, which is unusual for him. With wind or without it, for some reason, controversy seems to swirl around Sabbatini, and he addressed a few topics that have his name on them.

Last weekend at the Wachovia, Sabbatini said he relished taking on Woods in the final group, only to get swamped while Woods won by two shots. And in a recent published poll of PGA Tour players, Sabbatini was the player most of the pros didn’t want to play with.

Sabbatini was unmoved.

On Woods: “I’m not someone to participate to watch the show, I’m here to participate to win. I want to be paired with Tiger in the last group on Sunday here this week.”

But Woods shot a 75.

“I want him to pick it up and we’ll be up there late on Sunday.”

On the players’ poll: “You can pick your battles, but I’m not out here to make friends; I’m out to win golf tournaments.”

Even though he lost to Woods at Quail Hollow, Sabbatini said Woods is vulnerable.

“After watching him play on Sunday, I think he’s more beatable than ever,” he said.

“I’ve seen Tiger when he hits the ball well. And I’ve seen Tiger when ... you’re not amazed. But I think Sunday he struggled out there. He had to battle for that win.

“I’ve seen him when he figures it out. It’s scary. I don’t want to see that anymore. I like the new Tiger.”

Woods would have made friends with the greens if he had coaxed a few more putts into the hole, but he doesn’t recognize the new grass on the putting surfaces.

“They’re not quite settled yet, and it’s going to take a little time,” he said.

Woods had a quick response when he was asked how much his 10 years of experience at Sawgrass helped him on the greens: “None.”

thomas.bonk@latimes.com