It was at that point, on the 12th hole Friday at Sherwood Country Club, that Woods straightened and smile, because he couldn't think of anything better to do. He has played long enough to know what sometimes, everything falls your way.

And this was one of those days.

"They were just going in," he said after setting the course record at Sherwood with a 10-under 62, building a four-shot lead over Jim Furyk in the Target World Challenge. "Even that one I hit just a touch too hard. When things kind of go your way, they go your way."

The only surprise is the timing.

Woods is the defending champion and a three-time winner of his tournament, but the frightening thing is that he is coming off the longest unforced break of his career. His last shot in competition was Sept. 30 at the Presidents Cup, and Woods only started hitting balls again about 10 days ago.

But for two days in the Santa Monica foothills, where frost covers the ground on these December mornings, he looked as sharp as he did in August and September, when he won four out of five tournaments. The exception was a runner-up finish.

Woods was at 13-under 131 and will be paired Saturday with Furyk, who shot a 67 and lost ground.

"I went in there with a lead today and shot a good number, and I'm pretty far back," Furyk said. "Hell of a host."

Masters champion Zach Johnson also shot 67 and was another shot behind at 136, followed by British Open champion Padraig Harrington, whose 67 left him seven shots out of the lead.

At least the money is good, a $5.75 million purse that tops some regular PGA Tour events.

This is part of the silly season, the final golf tournament of the year for 16 elite players who are guaranteed $170,000 even if they finished in last place. And that might be the closest race. Colin Montgomerie opened with an 80 and turned it around with a 67. That gave him a three-shot edge over last place, Rory Sabbatini, who followed his 69 with three triple bogeys in a round of 81.

But back to the top.

Woods has a history of playing well after long breaks, and one only need to look at his record starting a new season. He has won four times in his opening tournament, and he won two other times after a three- and four-week break in midseason.

And while this doesn't count except at the bank, it's tough convincing Wood of that.

"When you're in that rhythm, it feels the same, whether you're at home or whether you're here or you're in a major," he said. "It's the same type of rhythm, the same type of flow, concentration feels the same, everything just feels very even. And I felt that way today."