Woods shines in Michigan

Tiger Woods enjoyed his best round of the year to open up a four-stroke lead at the Buick Open in Michigan.

Woods hit a bogey-free nine-under-par 63, holing seven birdies and an eagle at the Warwick Hills Country club, to take him to 14 under for the tournament.

Ryder Cup team-mate Scott Verplank and JJ Henry hold joint second, and face a tough task stopping Woods claiming a 33rd PGA Tour title.

"I hit the ball really well," said Woods.

"Anytime you can make some putts, get the momentum going, especially early in the round, you can start building.

"It was an awful lot of fun being out there and hitting the ball this way. But anyone who has the lead here knows you just have to continue to make birdies.

"You can't go out there and sit around and shoot a couple of 70s and know the tournament is over."

Woods' eagle at the par-five 16th was a typical example of why he is the best player in the world.

He drove into the rough and was left with a partially blind shot to the green, but he blasted a stunning shot which rolled to within four feet before stroking the ball home.

"I thought it came out (of the rough) too hot," Woods said.

"But the ball fell out of the sky, and when it did that, I knew the shot was going to be okay."