DUBLIN, Ohio (AP) -- On turn-back-the-clock day at the Memorial Tournament, the 1989 champion was again on top, Jack Nicklaus cut 30 years off his age and Tiger Woods was just another player in the pack.
Bob Tway shot a 7-under-par 65 to take a one-shot lead in Thursday's opening round.
Playing his first round on tour in a year, Nicklaus fought an achy back and a slow start, then birdied four of the last five holes for a 1-under 71.
Woods, trying to become only the third player to win the same tournament four times in a row, double-bogeyed the closing hole and stalked off with a 74.
``I hope there isn't a statute of limitations on confidence,'' said Tway, who hasn't won a tournament since 1995.
Most of the leaders had completed their rounds by the time word spread that Sam Snead, winner of a record 81 tournaments, including seven majors, had died at 89 of complications from a stroke.
``He brought so much to the game with his great swing and the most fluid motion ever to grace a golf course,'' Nicklaus said.
Tway got off to a roaring start, birdieing the first three holes by rolling in putts of 20, 30 and 10 feet. At the par-5 15th, he hit a driver and a 5-wood to 1 foot and tapped in for an eagle.
Tway's lowest round at Muirfield Village Golf Club gave him his first lead on tour in four years.
``Even if I hadn't won here, I really enjoy coming here every year,'' Tway said. ``Obviously, I have fond memories. I really look forward to this event.''
Stewart Cink shot a 66 to pull into second, one shot better than Stuart Appleby. Tom Lehman and Tom Pernice Jr. were at 68, followed by Justin Leonard, 1997 Memorial winner Vijay Singh, Jeff Sluman, Frank Lickliter and David Peoples at 69.
The biggest stunner was Nicklaus, who didn't decide until Wednesday afternoon that he would play in the tournament he founded.
Nicklaus was 3 over after the first three holes on the course he designed, but held the line until making birdies on Nos. 14, 15, 16 and 18.
After the fast finish, Nicklaus turned to playing-partner Singh and said, ``I shot three or four shots below my handicap!''
Rocco Mediate heard a mammoth roar at the 18th green as he was concluding his 70. He knew right away it had to be Nicklaus.
``His golf clubs and golf ball don't know how old he is,'' Mediate said. ``I guarantee you if he shoots another 71, he's not going to be thinking he can't win the tournament. Deep down inside, he'll be thinking, 'You know, if I can shoot a little 66 on Saturday ...'''
Nicklaus said, ``Years ago if I shot a 71 I wouldn't be very happy. But I'm tickled pink today.''
Woods was certainly not happy with his 74. He took little time to even ponder his shots on the closing hole, blasting long out of a greenside bunker and then three-putting.
After signing his scorecard, he walked quickly into the clubhouse.
Tway has seen enough magic out of Woods to know the tournament is still up for grabs.
``He probably shoots 65 tomorrow,'' Tway said.
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