Woods: Back at his best

The world number one fired a stunning nine-under-par 63 at the Cog Hill course in Lemont, Illinois, to card his lowest round of the year.

Woods is the 13th player to shoot 63 at the Western - an event he has already won twice - and the first since 2000.

And he answered critics, who have been praying on his recent spell without a win, in emphatic style.

The American hit 10 of 14 fairways, 15 of 18 greens and had only 27 putts to finish one shot ahead of Vance Veazey.

It's a lot of fun when you hit shots that flush Tiger Woods

David Toms is a further stroke adrift, while defending champion Jerry Kelly had a 66.

Starting on the back nine, Woods served up early notice that he meant business by making a 24-foot eagle putt on the par-five 11th.

And he kept that form going, reeling off three straight birdies on his back nine.

Such was Woods' accuracy he could have gone sub-60, as he watched four makeable birdie putts drift past the hole.

"If you've been following what I've been saying the last few tournaments I've played in, I'm very close," Woods said afterwoods.

"I hit a lot of good shots today. It's a lot of fun when you hit shots that flush and that solid, and it's awfully nice to get rewarded by making some putts."

Masters champion Mike Weir looked set to make a charge, but his drive on 18 landed in a triangle of bunkers and he made a double-bogey to finish at 67.