LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., Oct. 17 (UPI) -- Jeff Sluman, Bob Burns and Japan's Hidemichi Tanaka fired 9-under-par 63s Thursday to share the lead after 18 holes at the Disney Classic, the next-to-last event of the PGA Tour season.
Sluman, who recorded his sixth career victory in July at the Greater Milwaukee Open, has played well down the stretch with three top-10 finishes in his last four starts, including a tie for second at last week's Invensys Classic in Las Vegas.
Burns and Tanaka are seeking their first titles.
Tiger Woods showed no signs of rust in his first appearance since last month's Ryder Cup, carding a 6-under 66. But he could do no better than a tie for 10th.
Woods has five wins in 12 tour events in Orlando, his adopted hometown.
A total of 39 players shot 5-under or better. Scott Hoch, Chad Campbell, Australia's Peter Lonard, Joe Durant and Chris DiMarco were tied for second at 8-under, while Stuart Appleby of Australia, Mike Sposa and Tim Clark were another stroke back.
Among those in a 13-player logjam at 6-under were Woods, Charles Howell III and Germany's Bernhard Langer.
Howell won the Michelob Championship two weeks ago for his first victory in two years on the PGA Tour. Three of his six top-10 finishes this season have come in his last six starts.
David Duval registered a 3-under 69, leaving him tied for 53rd. Duval led heading into the final round last week following a season-low 63 but finished with a 71 and tied for sixth.
Rich Beem, the winner of this year's PGA Championship, also carded a 69. He is fourth on the money list.
Jose Coceres of Argentina will have to make a quick recovery to have a chance to defend his title. He struggled to a 72 and was one of only 25 players in the 137-man field who failed to break par.
