Spieth Leads Hero World Challenge, Tiger Struggles


Jordan Spieth continues his fine play. The 21-year-old from Dallas carded a 6-under 66 to take the opening-round lead in the Hero World Challenge. The 18-man, $3.5 million event, a benefit for the Tiger Woods Foundation, started Thursday at Isleworth in Windermere, Fla.

Spieth, who won the Australian Open last week for the second title of his professional career, posted seven birdies - including five on the front nine - and a bogey for a one-stroke lead over defending champion Zach Johnson and Steve Stricker.

"This is a place I'm comfortable with . . . it was great, my wedge was working, didn't have to work too hard on the greens. Hopefully the putter keeps working," said Spieth of his affinity with the course, where he played several times while attending the University of Texas.

Rickie Fowler and Sweden's Henrik Stenson trail by a shot after posting 67s.

Playing in his first competition in four months, tournament host Woods struggled most of the day. After hitting his opening drive out-of-bounds but somehow carding a bogey on the par-4 first and then getting another bogey on the par-3 second, Woods had his third bogey on the par-5 seventh followed by a double on the par-4 eighth to make the turn in 5-over 41.

Though he settled down somewhat on the home half - getting his first and only birdie of the day on the par-4 12th - Woods bogeyed another par-5, the 13th, to finish with a 5-over 77.

Woods, who hadn't played since missing the cut in PGA Championship and in Wednesday's pro-am walked 18 holes for the first time since Valhalla in August, was honest with reporters following an outing in which he bungled - or chunked - four chip shots, including two in a row at the 13th hole.

"Bad chips, bad shots, a couple of mistakes on the front nine really compounded the problem," said Woods who hit only seven greens in regulation on the day.

"It certainly is surprising that I could hit chips so poorly . . . just made too many mistakes, and they were mainly around the greens."

Woods underwent the lengthy layoff to rehabilitate his surgically repaired back. He's also been retooling his swing under the guidance of new instructor Chris Como. Other than a very balky short game, Woods showed no ill effects from the extended hiatus, bombing several drives well over 300 yards.

As for how he felt following his first real 18 holes since the PGA, Woods noted, "That was the best part - I had no pain after the round."

Sharing sixth after 68s are Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell, Japan's Hideki Matsuyama and Texan Jimmy Walker. Matt Kuchar and Bubba Watson each shot 69s, while Chris Kirk had a 70 and is 11th heading into Friday's second round.

Rounding out the leaderboard following 71s are Hunter Mahan and Australia's Jason Day; Keegan Bradley and England's Justin Rose (72); Billy Horschel and Patrick Reed (73), with Woods four strokes further down in last place.

For all the scores, visit http://www.pgatour.com/leaderboard.html.