By Ben Everill
NORTON, Massachusetts Aug 31 (Reuters) – Tiger Woods
produced a stunning surge in the opening round of the Deutsche
Bank Championship on Friday, firing a seven-under 64 to share
the early clubhouse lead with fellow American Jeff Overton.
The 14-times major champion played his first eight holes in
two-under par before carding six consecutive birdies to lead by
as many as four shots at one stage in the second of the PGA
Tour’s four lucrative FedExCup playoff events.
“I played really well today. I hit a lot of good shots, and
on top of that I putted well at the same time … it was a nice
little combination,” said Woods, who made five birdies from 12
feet or longer. “I hit the ball well enough to probably shoot
maybe one or two more.”
Australia’s John Senden and South African Louis Oosthuizen
were two shots back after carding matching five-under 66s while
big names Luke Donald, Dustin Johnson and Ian Poulter were among
five players in the clubhouse a further shot back.
Woods, the 2006 champion at this event, played the back nine
first and wasted little time making a move.
After his tee shot at the par-three 11th landed 12 feet from
the hole, Woods coolly drained the birdie putt for some early
confidence on the greens. Two holes later Woods sank a 19-footer
that put him at two-under par.
He came within inches of an eagle from 42 feet on the 18th
but took the birdie, the first of six on the trot, including a
12-footer on his 11th hole and a 15-footer on his 12th.
The heat dissipated a little over his final four holes as
Woods missed a chance for a seventh consecutive birdie before
scrambling for pars on the seventh and eighth holes.
Continued…
