Tiger Woods has made a promising return to golf following an injury-enforced layoff of three months. Playing in the WGC Invitational in Akron, Ohio, Woods carded a two under 68 for the first round, which included only the one bogey. More importantly, he played freely showing no signs of the knee problems that have kept him out of competition. Ironically, Adam Scott carded a faultless 62 with Wood’s sacked caddy Steve Williams carrying bags – you could say that Williams has had the last laugh on Woods, at least for day one.

In fact, it’s been an Aussie feast on day one with another Australian, Jason Day, finishing the day in outright second on 63. Nick Watney holds third outright two shots back on 65 following an even day on the greens. Of the rest, Phil Mickelson and Lee Westwood are five off the pace on 67 followed by Woods in a group that includes Sergio Garcia, Geoff Ogilvy, Robert Karlsson, Aaron Baddeley, and Rory McIlroy, all on 68 and within distance if they play well on day two.

Bookmakers have made Scott favourite in golf betting to win this tournament at odds of 9/2 followed by Day at 6/1, Watney at 10/1, and Woods at 12/1. Rory McIlroy is being quoted an 18/1 chance while 20/1 are the best odds on offer for Lee Westwood and Phil Mickelson.

This is going to be a tricky tournament to predict as both Day and Scott play well from the front. Westwood and Mickelson have not really done anything spectacular this year to suggest they would storm home while Rory McIlroy has become unpredictable – brilliant one day and a weekend hacker the next. Tiger Woods has to be taken on trust at present and while the signs are good, it will be interesting to see how he pulls up and how fit he is on day two.

We’re tipping Day to win – his odds of 6/1 represent good value – even better value if you take the 6/4 for a top five finish. Mickelson is also good value at 20/1, but we suggest taking the 5/1 for a top five finish, that too is good value.