ORLANDO, Fla., March 18 (UPI) -- Tiger Woods took a big step toward yet another record Thursday, finishing the opening round of the Bay Hill Invitational one stroke behind.
Woods, seeking to become the first player to win the same PGA Tour event five successive years, took advantage of benign morning conditions to card a 5-under-par 67 on the Bay Hill course.
He was tied for fourth behind leaders Darren Clarke, Chad Campell and Shigeki Maruayama.
"Today was a day to post a good number with some of the accessible pins they have," Woods said. "I hit some really good shots, drove it well and controlled my irons going into the greens."
Joining Woods at 67 were Stuart Appleby, Jerry Kelly and Zack Johnson. World No. 2 Vijay Singh shot 68, as did John Daly.
U.S. Amateur champion Nick Flanagan shot an even-par 72 in his first PGA Tour event.
