Lehman leads the way

Vijay Singh and Tiger Woods get all the headlines, but Tom Lehman was the one who played like one of the best golfers in the world in California.

Lehman shot a blistering seven-under-par 29 on the back nine to take the lead after the first round of the Buick Invitational, which is being played over two courses at the Torry Pines Country Club.

In a loaded field that includes world No 1 Singh, Woods, Ernie Els and Phil Mickelson, Lehman stole the show, looking nothing like the player who has not won since 2000.

Playing the North Course – considered much easier than the South Course - Lehman carded a 10-under 62 for a one-shot lead over Dean Wilson. He fell one shot shy of matching Mark Brooks’ North Course record set in 1990.

Lehman was three under through nine holes before elevating his game to the heights Singh and Woods usually are at.

On the back nine, Lehman had two pars around a birdie at the par-four 11th hole. After his second par at No 12, he closed with a string of six straight birdies.

Arron Oberholser, a virtual unknown, is two shots behind following a 64.

After finishing one shot back of Singh at last week’s Sony Open, Els is in contention again following an opening 65.

Tom Pernice Jr and Dudley Hart also signed for 65s.

Singh, who overtook Woods atop the rankings last year, had a rare disappointing round after carding a 71 on the South Course.

He played the first nine holes at three under before a two-over showing on the back side.

Woods, a winner of this event in 1999 and 2003 who grew up 80 miles away in Cypress, California, also had the misfortune of playing the South Course.

He did slightly better than Singh as he signed for a 69.

Playing in his first tournament of the year, Mickelson showed some rust on the South Course, settling for a 72.

The tournament is played over two courses – one round at the easier North Course and three, including the final two rounds, at the harder South.