Clarke on target as rain mars Woods' return

Rain and fog prevented Tiger Woods marking his US tour return in style – but Northern Ireland’s Darren Clarke managed a hole-in-one before bad weather brought the first round to an early close at the Buick Invitational in La Jolla today.

The first-day honours went to rookie Arron Oberholser, who held a one-shot lead when rain forced a terminal suspension at Torrey Pines club.

Fog delayed the round for more than four hours early in the day before rain took over, preventing anyone in the 156-player field from finishing 18 holes.

Oberholser was among the closest to finishing, playing 16 bogey-free holes in six-under par for a one-stroke edge over Skip Kendall.

The early tournament leader was the top collegiate rival of Woods, who made his annual tour debut today after undergoing knee surgery in December.

Woods struggled in the rain, looking rusty in playing nine holes in one under.

He sailed his first tee shot into the trees and fluffed a chip before parring the hole as a prelude to a two-birdie effort.

Eight players were two strokes off the lead at four under – including Clarke, whose hole-in-one came on the par-three third on the North Course.

LEADERBOARD

1 ELS, Ernie RSA 18 -15 64 65

T2 OWEN, Greg ENG 18 -11 69 64

T2 ALLENBY, Robert AUS 18 -11 69 64

T4 LEANEY, Stephen AUS 18 -9 68 67

T4 REMESY, Jean-Francois FRA 17 -9 68 -5

6 STOLZ, Andre AUS 18 -8 68 68

T7 GOOSEN, Retief RSA 18 -7 72 65

T7 PRICE, Terry AUS 18 -7 66 71

T7 LYNN, David ENG 18 -7 65 72

T7 PARRY, Craig AUS 18 -7 68 69

T7 LONG, Michael NZL 18 -7 71 66

T7 ROSE, Justin ENG 18 -7 68 69