* Stallings takes control with late birdie flurry
* Woods four off the pace after carding a 70
(Updates at end of round)
By Mark Lamport-Stokes
DUBLIN, Ohio, May 31 (Reuters) – Tiger Woods, without
playing at his best, moved into contention at the Memorial
tournament on Thursday while fellow American Scott Stallings
made a welcome return to form by charging into a one-shot lead.
Four-times champion Woods birdied three of the four
par-fives in surprisingly firm and fast-running conditions at a
sun-drenched Muirfield Village Golf Club to card a two-under-par
70, finishing four strokes behind Stallings.
Americans Spencer Levin, who totalled only 21 putts, and
Erik Compton opened with 67s while Australian Aaron Baddeley,
South African Rory Sabbatini and Argentina’s Andres Romero were
among a group of seven players knotted on 69.
Woods, who won the most recent of his four titles here in
2009, was reasonably satisfied after mixing four birdies with a
double-bogey at the treacherous par-four 18th, his ninth hole of
the day.
“It was just a solid round today,” the 36-year-old told
reporters. “It certainly could have been a lot lower, but I’m
pleased with the way I hit the golf ball today. I didn’t do
anything great and I didn’t do anything poorly today.
“The golf course was playing quick and the fairways were
starting to chase a little bit. The greens were somewhat
receptive. It’s a hell of a test out there, really.”
Continued…
