Lowery leads, Woods struggles at Buick

GRAND BLANC, Mich., July 30 (UPI) -- Steve Lowery shot a 9-under 63 Thursday to lead after one round of the Buick Open and Tiger Woods found himself in danger of missing his second straight cut.

Woods failed to qualify for the final two rounds at the British Open two weeks ago and had to settle for a 1-under 71 Thursday on a Warwick Hills Country Club course that yielded 115 sub-par rounds. It could take a score of 4-under to survive the cut Friday -- which would mean Woods would have to turn in at least a 69.

Woods has never missed consecutive cuts in his career.

"I didn't hit my irons very good and it was probably one of my worst putting rounds," Woods said. "It was just one of those days, one of those weird days."

He brushed aside thoughts that he will not be around for the weekend.

"I'll come up with the number I need to come up with," he said.

John Senden was alone in second after firing a 64 while those tied for third at 65 included Y.E. Yang, James Nitties, Vaughn Taylor and Brian Vranesh.

Lowery, 48, has three PGA Tour wins to his credit. The most recent came at last year's AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.