Former world number one Woods carded five birdies and five bogeys, ending the first day in California with a bogey after firing a surprise shank far to the right on the 18th fairway.
“Oh, definitely, I shanked it,” said Woods.
“My back was spasming the last couple holes and it was locking up,” he explained, adding he would receive treatment to be ready for the second round.
“But that’s just part of the deal, and I look forward to the challenge.”
Woods’ last win on the PGA Tour was at the 2019 Zozo Championship in Japan, which saw him equal Sam Snead’s record of 82 Tour victories.
His schedule has been limited since injuring his leg in a car crash in 2021.