Woods shares lead as he bids to make Tour history

Defending champion Tiger Woods took his first step towards achieving U.S. PGA Tour history when he grabbed a share of the first round lead at the $4 million Bay Hill Invitational on Thursday.

The world number one shot an opening five-under-par 67 to move into a six-way tie for the lead with Argentine Angel Cabrera, John Daly, John Huston, D.A. Weibring and left-hander Steve Flesch at the Bay Hill Club and Lodge.

One shot back on 68 were Stewart Cink, Australian Rod Pampling, Japan's Kaname Yokoo and Spaniard Sergio Garcia.

Woods is trying to become the first U.S. PGA Tour player to win three different tournaments three times in a row.

He won the Memorial three times between 1999 and 2001, the WGC-NEC Invitational in the same years and Bay Hill in 2000 and 2001.

Woods's first round was a bogey-free affair and contained five birdies.

"I hit a lot of good shots," he said. "I drove the ball pretty good, and I didn't really get off to the greatest of starts, but my short game bailed me out and I made a lot of putts today.

"I've played well here in the past, and I think you usually get good vibes when you are actually able to come back to the golf course that you've won on, especially if you're playing well.

"I feel like I'm starting to putt a little bit better now," said Woods after taking only 21 putts.

Woods has not been at his best on the greens this season and he only ranks 122nd on the tour.

Unlike Woods, Daly has struggled at Bay Hill in previous years, never finishing higher than 21st (1994).

"It was a solid round," he said after his 67. "I hit a lot of fairways."

CONSISTENT DALY

Daly has been the model of consistency this year, making the cut at all six events he has played, including a solo fourth-place finish at the Buick Invitational and a tie for fourth at the Phoenix Open.

"I putted real well and hit a lot of greens, which is the key out here," said Daly after compiling five birdies, one eagle and two bogeys.

"The couple of greens that I missed, I didn't get up-and-down. It's tough when you miss the greens here right now. I think it's nice to finally have a decent round here."

Cabrera is playing in his fourth consecutive event on the tour, using his foreign and sponsors exemptions to try to gain his playing card.

The Argentine's 67 included seven birdies, but two untimely bogeys on his final two holes (the eighth and ninth) meant he lost the outright lead.

"Even though I had two bogeys on the last few holes, I'm very happy with the way I finished off today, and it's about time to start showing some results because I've been working really hard for it," said Cabrera.

Cabrera has made the cut in all three previous starts this year, with his best finish a tie for fifth place at the Genuity Championship.

"I'm trying to play as much as I can in the United States and trying to get my PGA Tour card," he said. "I'm playing next week, the TPC, and flying home for a week and coming back to play probably in Atlanta and then the Masters."

South African Ernie Els, who followed up his victory at the Genuity two weeks ago by scoring another win at the Dubai Desert Classic last week, returned a 70 to stay in touch with the leaders.

U.S. Ryder Cup captain Curtis Strange was also in contention after firing a three-under-par 69. It was his best round since his 68 on the opening day of the 2001 Michelob Championship at Kingsmill last October.