Tiger roars into lead

Tiger Woods, playing for the first time since his successful defence of the Open championship title, began the Buick Open at Warwick Hills in Michigan today with five straight birdies and led on his own at six under par with eight to play.

The world number one, warming up now for the US PGA championship in two weeks’ time, followed his spectacular opening with four pars to turn in 31, then two-putted the long first to move one ahead of fellow Americans Joe Durant, Brett Quigley and Woody Austin.

Vijay Singh, winner of the title the last two years with totals of 24 and 23 under, responded to Wood’s burst by grabbing four birdies in a row from the 13th - both players kicked off on the back nine – to be only two behind.