Tiger makes storming start after rain delays

AFTER waiting an extra five hours to tee off, Tiger Woods birdied three of the first four holes in the NEC world championship, where he is seeking his fourth victory.

But the fact that the other hole - his first - was a bogey meant Woods was one behind South Korean KJ Choi and also Jerry Kelly, the American who just missed out on a Ryder Cup debut last weekend.

Torrential overnight rain and then more thunderstorms over the Firestone course in Akron prevented any play in the €5.5 million tournament until 2.45pm and there was no chance of the first round being completed before nightfall.