Last year at the same venue, Tiger Woods [Images] was gushing about Arjun Atwal, with whom he has played a few times. This time it is Jeev Milkha Singh [Images].

In the opening round of the HSBC Champions in Shanghai, Jeev (70) outscored Tiger (72) by two shots to take the champion golfer by surprise.

Woods could not help but praise the Indian ace, who has won twice this season -- the Volvo China Open in April and Volvo Masters -- and currently leads the UBS Order of Merit.

"I've met Jeev a few times but I've never played with him. What he did at Valderamma obviously, and what he's doing in Asia, he's having a great year. I think it's just a matter of confidence," Woods said.

"He's playing a lot of golf and he's starting to turn the corner. It's good to see him. I know about him quite a bit and he's such a great guy."

Jeev overcame a hesitant start before going on to shoot a solid two-under-par 72, two better than Woods at the Sheshan International Golf Club.

It left Jeev in tied 15th place alongside England's [Images] Luke Donald and Australian Scott Strange, and five strokes behind leader and compatriot Jyoti Randhawa, who shot a brilliant error-free seven-under 65.

Jeev said: "I hit a few funky shots today but I guess I was a little bit nervous playing with Tiger. But I settled down pretty good after a few holes. I enjoyed playing with him because I've always had a lot of respect for what he's done for the game."

"I'm pretty happy the way it's ended up today. Playing with the big man, I was so excited and I'm so happy I shot a 70."

Jeev made the worst possible start with a bogey on his first hole, the 10th after missing the green. But two solid par saves at the next two holes settled the butterflies in the stomach.

He sank three birdies on the trot from the 15th and sank a 30-foot putt on the 18th to save par after finding water.

He fired two more birdies against as many bogeys on his inward nine.

"It's not really any extra buzz," said Jeev referring to outscoring Woods.

"It's just that I was pretty much excited about playing with him because I have a lot of respect for what he's done for the game of golf.

"Tomorrow I'll just go out and try to do the same thing and follow my routine and process and see what happens. I'm concentrating on my own game but also watching Tiger and how he manages himself on the golf course. His management I think is excellent. He forgets bad shots quickly and gets on to the next shot," said Jeev.