Tiger well off pace in FedEx event

TIGER Woods shot an error-strewn 75 as Rory McIlroy made a positive start at the first FedEx Cup play-off event.

Woods, playing his first round since missing the cut at the Open last month, ended the first day of the Northern Trust at Liberty National four-over-par and 13 strokes behind leader Troy Merritt.

McIlroy recovered from a bogey on the 10th, his first hole, to record an eagle and five birdies in a sixunder-par 65 that put him in a tie for fifth three shots off the lead.

Americans Tony Finau and Webb Simpson were alongside him while Dustin Johnson was second on eight under with Kevin Kisner and Jon Rahm one back on seven under.

Merritt recorded nine birdies in his flawless 62.

Masters champion Woods, who carded three birdies, five bogeys and a double bogey, did not use the stiff back which forced him to play a limited role in the pre-tournament pro-am as an excuse.

Woods, who could fall outside the world’s top 30 if he misses the cut, said: “I knew I had to go get it, post a low one, and didn’t do it.

“I’m going to have to figure out a way to get this thing under par and, hopefully, move on to have a chance on the weekend to keep progressing and keep going lower.”

SCOTLAND’S women were beaten 6-3 by England at the Home Internationals played on Dundee’s Downfield course.

The Scots, beaten 5-4 by Ireland in their opening game, will hope to end with a win against Wales in their final match today.

Ireland were meeting England, also today, to decide the winner after they made it two wins out of two with a 6.5-2.5 victory against Wales.

In the girls’ event, also at Downfield, Scotland had an 8.5-0.5 loss to England.

Rory McIlroy is three shots off the lead.