( CNN ) -- The recent focus may have been on his new relationship with world champion skier Lindsey Vonn but Thursday saw the start of Tiger Woods ' quest to reclaim golf 's world No . 1 ranking . The 14-time major champion , who revealed he and Vonn released pictures of themselves through social media to thwart photographers he referred to as the `` stakerazzi '' , showed all his battling qualities on day one of the Arnold Palmer Invitational . Woods carded an opening round of three-under-par at the Bay Hill course in Florida , to sit in the chasing pack behind leader Justin Rose , who shot 65 to finish on seven-under . The Englishman fired six birdies and an eagle in his round and though Woods ' performance was more solid than spectacular he scrambled well to remain within striking distance . Rose 's nearest challenger was American John Huh , who sits on five-under while compatriot John Rollins and Canada 's Brad Fritsch are a shot further back . `` I certainly did n't play my best , but I got around and made a few good saves out there , '' 37-year-old Woods told the PGA Tour 's official website . `` I got a lot out of this round , and I threw away a few shots as well . `` I did n't drive it well , did n't hit my irons well and did n't control my distances or trajectory well . '' Starting his round on the ninth , Woods recorded back-to-back bogeys before making crucial par saves at the first and second . `` Those were key because I had just thrown away a couple of shots I gained on 16 , '' Woods said . `` It 's just making a key save , a key putt here and there and keeping the round going . '' Prior to his opening round Woods spoke publicly for the first time about his romance with Vonn , which the couple confirmed on Monday with statements and photos posted on social networking site Facebook . At a press conference on Wednesday he said they had released news of their relationship to limit paparazzi intrusion . `` It 's very simple , we 're very happy where we are at but also we wanted to limit the stalkerazzi and all those sleazy websites out there following us , '' he told reporters . `` I 've had situations where it 's been very dangerous for my kids , the extent that they 'll go to . We basically devalued the first photos . `` Unfortunately that 's just the way it is in our society right now and we felt it was the best thing to do and we 're very happy about it . '' Rose 's fine round was largely due to his putting prowess . He needed just 25 and converted all 17 chances from 15-feet or under . `` That 's been the error of my game since June last year , '' Rose said . `` Today was probably the first real hot day I 've had with the blade in a long , long time . '' `` We all know it 's about consistency and that 's what I 'm still working toward . It 's just fun to know that I obviously can do it , and I take a lot of confidence from that . ''
Tiger Woods shoots three - under round in solid start to Arnold Palmer Invitational . Woods can take the No . 1 ranking from Rory Murray with victory in Bay Hill . Australia 's Justin Rose out in front after shooting a seven - under round of 65 .