Furyk leads Target Challenge

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif., Dec. 5 (UPI) -- Jim Furyk got off to a quick start Thursday and never let up, tying the tournament record with an 8-under-par 64 for a one-shot lead after one round of the Target World Challenge.

Furyk was 4-under after collecting an eagle and two birdies on the first four holes.

"It was a great round," said Furyk, who was 14th on the PGA Tour money list this season with nearly $2.4 million. "Being 4-under real quick was a great start. I had a lull a little bit in the middle, but then I got it going again on the back nine. I am happy with the day."

Nick Price of Zimbabwe and Padraig Harrington of Ireland were tied for second after opening-round 65s, one shot better than Davis Love III. Defending champion and tournament host Tiger Woods parred just two of the first 11 holes en route to a 4-under 68 and a share of eighth place in a field of 16.

"It was perfect conditions to score today," said Woods, who had seven birdies but three bogeys. "If you just look at the scoreboard, you can see that. There are five par-5s, and they are all reachable with good drives."

"All courses favor long hitters, but this course right now is not playing overly long," Furyk said. "If you knock the ball in the middle of the fairway and hit a nice, high, soft iron shot, you are going to do pretty well."

Twelve players in the elite field were under par at the Sherwood Country Club. Germany's Bernhard Langer, recently enshrined in the World Golf Hall of Fame, managed an even-par 72. PGA Championship winner Rich Beem carded a 74, Tour Championship winner Vijay Singh of Fiji signed for a 75 and Bob Estes struggled to a 76.

The winner of this 72-hole event receives $1 million. Last place is worth $130,000.

Players who qualified based on their official world rankings included Phil Mickelson (2), Retief Goosen (4), David Toms (5), Love (7), Singh (8), Harrington (9), Furyk (10), Price (11), New Zealand's Michael Campbell (13), Chris DiMarco (14) and Estes (15).