Woods’ fine fightback

SPORTS Opening 64 takes Tiger into share of the lead in Japan

TIGER Woods produced a brilliant fightback to claim a share of the lead a fte r t he f i rst rou nd of the inaugural Zozo Championship in Japan.

Woods was three over par after three holes at Narashino Country Club, but played the remaining 15 holes in nine under par to card an opening 64, which was matched by US Open champion Gary Woodland.

Home favourite Hideki Matsuyama is a shot off the lead following a 65, but world No 2

Rory McIlroy is eight strokes off the pace after struggling to a 72.

Woods began his round on the back nine and got off to a nightmare start as he pulled his drive on the 10th into the water to make the f i r s t of three consecutive bogeys.

The 15-time Major winner steadied the ship with a par on the 13th before posting a hattrick of birdies from the 14th and picked up another shot on the 18th to go to one under.

Woods made his second hat-trick of birdies from the third and further birdies on the seventh and ninth completed an inward nine of 29 to boost his chances of claiming the 82nd PGA Tour title of his career, equalling the record of Sam Snead.

“I was just trying to turn it to even par at the turn, that was basically my goal. I was able to squeeze one more out of it.

“Hopefully, I can squeeze a couple more out of it,” Woods said. “It’s always nice to get off to a quick start and then figure it out from there but that start I got off to wasn’t very good.

“After the start the ball-striking was better, the putting was good.”

Paul Casey leads the European challenge on one under with Sergio Garcia a shot further back. Shane Lowry, Tommy Fleetwood and Ian Poulter are one shot over par.

Tiger Woods lines up a putt on the 11th hole.

Roger Federer had a good win against Radu Albot (see story right).