He struggled with his driver Thursday at the penultimate European Tour event of the season and didn't hit a fairway until the 10th hole. Still, he started by making a four-foot birdie putt on the first hole and then made another birdie at the par-3 eighth.
His playing partner and Race to Dubai leader Henrik Stenson was at 4 under, while Montgomerie was at even par after 16 holes on the course he designed himself.
Despite his slow start, Woods said Montgomerie had done a nice job with the layout.
"It's a tricky golf course and it helps to have played it numerous times as it is one of those courses where you get a better feel for it the more you play it," Woods said. "However looking back on my 10 and a half holes, I probably left a little out there and I see that seven under par is leading at this stage, so the goal in the holes I have left in the morning is to pick up a few quick birdies."
Gonzalez had six birdies and an eagle mixed with two bogeys, while Olesen had eight birdies with two bogeys. Three players, incluing Pablo Larrazabal of Spain, were two shots back in the clubhouse.