Love takes lead at Challenge

After battling windy conditions in California, Love made two late birdies and grabbed a one-shot lead after the first round of the Target World Challenge, a tournament hosted by Tiger Woods that offers an €1.14m top prize.

Love was third on the PGA Tour money list behind Fiji’s Vijay Singh and Woods. He captured four tournaments, but none had a first prize like the one at this unofficial event at Sherwood Country Club.

“There are million dollar tournaments on the tour every month, but it’s not every week that you win one million dollars for first place,” Love said.

“I look at it as part of the season.”

Woods had a share of the lead before missing a par putt at the 18th hole. That left him in a three-way tie for second place with Justin Leonard and Kenny Perry.

“I turned a nice little 67 into a 71 today,” Woods said.

“I hit it so well today, I just made too many mistakes. It’s frustrating to end on two bogeys like that, especially when I hit good shots.”

Australia’s Robert Allenby and Korea’s KJ Choi were the only other golfers able to shoot par in the first round and are two shots off the pace.

It’s another stroke back to Fred Couples, while Singh opened with a two-over 74 and is tied with Nick Price of Zimbabwe, Ireland’s Padraig Harrington and American Chris DiMarco.

The field consists of the top 12 players in the World Golf Rankings and four special exemptions.

Northern Ireland’s Darren Clarke is currently last on 81.