PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla., May 10 (UPI) -- Phil Mickelson and Rory Sabbatini avoided the worst of the winds Thursday to share the lead after one round of the $9 million Players Championship.
Tiger Woods, meanwhile, equaled the worst score he has ever shot over the Stadium Course at TPC-Sawgrass.
Mickelson and Sabbatini both turned in a 5-under 67 during the morning as the breezes steadily intensified. Only 16 players broke par with just six of those having afternoon tee times.
Chris DiMarco was alone in third at 68 and Peter Lonard, who had the low round among the late starters, fired a 69. Tom Lehman, Rod Pampling, Carl Pettersson and Jason Gore all shot 70, while Retief Goosen and Jim Furyk were among those at 71.
Woods, seeking his second consecutive win, did not make a birdie and settled for a 3-over 75.
"I hit the ball pretty good," Woods said. "I've just got to make a few more putts."
As the afternoon wore on, the conditions grew more difficult -- especially at the famed par-3 17th with its island green. The 142 players who competed in the first round combined to put 50 balls in the water at the 17th.
