MAMARONECK, N.Y. — This wasn't the return Tiger Woods had in mind.

Three holes into the U.S. Open, he already was 3 over par. He heard more groans than cheers, which happens when the No. 1 player in the world hits three short shots — from the rough, a drop area and a bunker — that sail over the green. All that saved him yesterday was playing the final six holes in 1 under to shoot 76 at Winged Foot, his worst start ever in a major.

"Just got off to a bad start," Woods said. "With the wind blowing as hard as it was, it was going to be hard to make up shots. And I didn't. I lost ground."

Woods was playing for the first time since his father's death nine weeks ago.

Colin Montgomerie was the only player to break par, a 1-under 69 that put him atop the leaderboard in the U.S. Open for the first time in nine years.

"It's going to be difficult when you've got the world's best players and there's only one guy under par," Montgomerie said. "That's got to be difficult. And it was today."

It was the toughest start to a U.S. Open since 1986 at Shinnecock Hills, when no one broke par in the opening round. Twenty-two players failed to break 80 this time, and 35 players failed to make a single birdie.