ORLANDO, Fla., March 13 (UPI) -- Newly appointed Presidents Cup captain Fred Couples grabbed a share of the lead at the Arnold Palmer Invitational Thursday, five shots in front of Tiger Woods.
Couples fired a 5-under 65 at the Bay Hill Golf Club and Lodge to tie for the top spot with J.J. Henry. Couples, 19 months away from his 50th birthday, won this tournament 16 years ago.
Woods, a four-time winner of this event and unbeaten in three 2008 starts, settled for a 70 that left him in a tie for 34th place. He had two birdies and two bogeys.
"I just did not hit my irons very good," Woods said. "I missed some greens that I don't normally miss."
Defending champion Vijay Singh was a shot out of the lead, tied for third place with Lee Westwood, Tom Lehman and Lucas Glover.
Among those fighting to make the 36-hole cut on Friday will be Phil Mickelson, who was tied for 67th place after shooting a 72. Sean O'Hair, who won last week's stop on the PGA Tour, also had a 72.
