Tiger Woods Shares Lead at British Open

Tiger Woods' long-awaited return to major championship play got off to a promising start at the 127th British Open, with the 22-year-old taking a share of the lead after a 5-under-par 65 in the first round of play at Royal Birkdale. Woods, who has not participated in a major since his 12-shot victory at the 1997 Masters, showed a renewed sense of confidence with his play, which included seven birdies and a borrowed putter he has not put down since borrowing it from friend Mark O'Meara a week ago.

Key Takeaways:

• Tiger Woods, 22, shared the lead at the British Open after a 5-under-par 65 in the first round, capping off a week of strong play that included a 62 at the New Course at Grand Cypress in Orlando.
• Woods has newfound confidence in his game, thanks in part to a borrowed putter he has used since taking it from friend Mark O'Meara's garage a week ago.
• John Huston, who hasn't played in the British Open since 1995, also posted a 65 to join Woods at the top of the leaderboard, thanks to a strong eagle-birdie finish.
• Other notable players in contention include Fred Couples, Loren Roberts, and Nick Price, who shot 67 and are just one stroke behind the leaders.
• Woods' strong play comes after a first round where he made seven birdies, five of which followed iron shots he stuffed inside 10 feet.

Statistics:

• Tiger Woods' 5-under-par 65 tied the course record at Royal Birkdale, which was set in 1967.
• Woods' seven birdies in the first round were the most of any player in the tournament.
• John Huston's eagle at the 17th hole was his longest birdie of the round, with a 6-iron shot that landed in the hole from 40 feet.
• Nick Price, who shot 67, has been working on his putting in the past two weeks after a disappointing finish at the U.S. Open.

Sources:

• "The Orlando Sentinel"
• "Associated Press"