LEMONT, Illinois, 5 July 2003 — World No. 1 Tiger Woods, without a victory since March, equaled the course record by firing a nine-under-par 63 to grab the lead after the first round of the 100th Western Open on Thursday.

Woods, playing his last event before the British Open in two weeks’ time, carded his lowest round of the year. He went out in a four-under 32 after starting at the 10th and then added five birdies on his inward nine, including four in the last five holes.

Vance Veazey was in second place on 64 at Cog Hill Golf and Country Club’s Dubsdread course. World No. 7 David Toms, who won the FedEx St Jude Classic last Sunday, continued his excellent run of form by shooting a 65. Title holder Jerry Kelly was fourth on 66. US Masters champion Mike Weir of Canada, Cliff Kresge, Jason Gore, Chad Campbell, Heath Slocum and Brian Bateman were four strokes off the pace on 67. Woods, 27, who won here in 1997 and 1999, posted an eagle, eight birdies and one bogey in what he called his best round in four months.

“Different circumstances but I really played probably the same way at the World Matchplay (in March),” he told reporters. “But obviously, it’s matchplay, so you have two totally different mind-sets.”

His matchplay victory at Carlsbad, California was followed by another win at the Bay Hill Invitational three weeks later, but he said he had not suffered a slump in form since then. “See, if you’ve been following what I’ve been saying the last few tournaments I’ve played in, I’m very close,” he said. Veazey, 38, a product of the Nationwide Tour, finished 10 shots behind Toms last week and carried on the momentum with a career-best 64.

World No. 5 Vijay Singh of Fiji and No. 6 Jim Furyk, the US Open champion, were on one-under 71. Phil Mickelson had a 70.

Clarke and Price

Share Second Round Lead

In Straffan, Ireland, Ryder Cup teammates Darren Clarke and Phillip Price held a one-stroke lead during the second round of the European Open yesterday.

Clarke, looking for a second win in the event in three years, carded a four-under-par 68 and Price a 69 to take them to nine-under-par 135, ahead of Alastair Forsyth.

Price, Forsyth and South African Retief Goosen broke the course record to lead the first round but Goosen slipped to a 74.

Andrew Coltart lies two shots off the lead and Sweden’s Jarmo Sandelin is a further stroke back after equaling the course record of 66.

McKay Builds

Three-Shot Lead

In North Plains, Oregon, Mhairi McKay of Scotland used a run of five straight birdies Thursday to charge to a three-stroke lead after the opening round of the US Women’s Open. McKay was just one-under at the turn, but she didn’t make a par after the 10th hole in a spectacular back nine at demanding Pumpkin Ridge. She posted a five-under 66 on a day when firm, fast greens and a moderate breeze conspired to send the average score soaring to more than 76, with only eight players breaking par.

Defending champion Juli Inkster and Donna Andrews shot 69, while 15-year-old Morgan Pressel double-bogeyed her final hole for a 70. Swedish superstar Annika Sorenstam bogeyed the last to complete a 72 and 13-year-old sensation Michelle Wie carded a 73, but it was a dismal day for two-time champion Karrie Webb, who stumbled to a 78.