Woods Is Ready to Finish Big Year With Another Win

Tiger Woods has no intention of coasting through the rest of the year.

Rested and determined to complete what already has been a terrific season on a high note, Woods shot 66 Thursday to trail co-leaders Rocco Mediate and Brad Faxon by one stroke after the opening round of Disney’s National Rental Car Classic.

Playing for the first time since the Ryder Cup a month ago and ending a layoff of seven weeks from 72-hole tournaments, the world’s top-ranked player fashioned a six-under-par score with seven birdies and one bogey in soggy conditions on the Palm Course at Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

With victories in two of the last three tournaments this season, Woods can become the first $6 million man in golf. He has won five PGA events in 1999, including his second major title.

“I want to end on a good note. It’s been a great year,” he said. “I’ve won six times worldwide, and I’ve come close in other majors. I just want to keep playing well and hopefully chalk up a couple more victories.”

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Jeff Gove and Bob Heintz shot four-under-par 68s to share the first-round lead of the season-ending Nike Tour Championship in Dothan, Ala.

Casey Martin, fighting for a PGA Tour playing card, was five shots back at 73. Martin entered the $400,000 event at Highland Oaks 12th on the Nike money list.

The top 15 on the list automatically earn exempt status to play on the PGA Tour next year.