LA JOLLA, Calif., Jan. 28 (UPI) -- Bill Haas, moving closer to becoming one of his sport's top players, grabbed the lead Friday among a star-laden field at the Farmers Insurance Open.
Haas, son of PGA Tour veteran and current Champions Tour star Jay Haas, shot a 6-under 66 over the Torrey Pines South Course to move two shots in front of Anthony Kim.
Tiger Woods, making his 2011 debut after going winless in a season for the first time in his career, was five shots off the pace.
Haas recorded his first two PGA Tour victories last year and came close to successfully defending his Bob Hope Classic title last week before he lost in a playoff. That showing pushed him into the top 50 in the world rankings and a win this week would likely move him into the top 35.
His 66 Friday was the tournament's low score on the South Course, one of two used for this event and the site of a Tiger Woods victory at the 2008 U.S. Open.
Kim was alone in second at 135 after shooting a 67 on the South Course.
An all-star group shared third place at 136, including four-time major championship winner Phil Mickelson, John Daly and former Ryder Cup players Bubba Watson, Rickie Fowler and Hunter Mahan.
Woods was in a tie for 12th at 139 following a 69 on the South Course. Among those tied with Woods were Dustin Johnson, who came close to winning two major titles last year, and Jhonattan Vegas, who became his sport's newest star last week by winning the Hope Classic in just his fifth PGA Tour start.
