Trio share first-round lead in Illinois

The 2003 British Open winner Ben Curtis fired a bogey-free seven-under-par 64 and is tied for the lead at the Western Open.

A round of five birdies and an eagle has Curtis tied with Jim Furyk and Todd Fischer, two shots clear of a group of four golfers.

Chad Campbell, Chris Couch, Harrison Frazar and Robert Allenby are tied for fourth at 66.

In 41 events since hoisting the Claret Jug in an improbable victory, Curtis has made just 15 cuts and has one top-10 finish. This season, he has made the cut in just two of 14 starts and shot as many rounds in the 80s – three – as he has in the 60s.

“This year has been up and down. It just seems like one week I would hit the ball poorly and the next week I would putt poorly, so it has been everything,” Curtis said.

“I have just been working really hard on the short game and driving the golf ball because I think you have got to get the ball in play, that is where it starts.”

Tiger Woods, who needs just $56,974 (€47,000) to become the first player in PGA Tour history to reach $50m (€41,500) in winnings, had an off day and is tied for 103rd.

Woods has had great success in the Western Open, winning three times. He finished tied for seventh last season but will have to improve on his two-over 73 that included four bogeys.

“I didn’t really play all that well. I didn’t putt well, didn’t play well, just had a tough day,” Woods said.

“I kept pulling a lot of my shots and didn’t leave myself very good birdie opportunities. Most of my putts were 20 feet and above.”