Watney surges as Woods struggles

Nick Watney, a 24-year-old rookie, shot a bogey-free eight-under-par 64 and has the lead after the first round of the Buick Open.

Since finishing tied for 11th at the Wachovia Championships in May, Watney has missed the cut in every event he has played and shot lower than 70 once.

He showed no signs of a struggling player, reeling off eight birdies, including three in a row to close his round and take a one-shot lead.

According to Watney, a break, a lesson and a club change resulted in his flawless round.

“I was struggling with my ball striking. I really did not have the direction at all,” he said. “I took last week off and actually had a lesson in Las Vegas with Butch Harmon, and he gave me some stuff to work on. And I actually switched putters and everything seemed to click.”

Defending champion Vijay Singh and Jason Bohn are one shot back after shooting 65. Singh was tied for the lead after back-to-back birdies at 14 and 15. A bogey at the 18th dropped Singh into a tie for second.

England’s Justin Rose is tied for 16th after an opening 68.

While Watney and Singh capitalised on a number of birdie opportunities, Tiger Woods was unable to generate any momentum and settled for a one-under 71.

Starting on the 10th, Woods opened his round with eight consecutive pars before carding his first birdies of the day on 18. He had chances from inside 10 feet on 15 and 16 but came up empty.

“It has been a while where I didn’t get anything out of my round, not one shot. It’s frustrating because I felt like I drove it great,” Woods said.

Woods’ only bogey of the day came at the par-four second. He got back under par on the par-three eighth after sticking his tee shot within three feet.