FIRST ROUND LEADERBOARD US unless stated -6 JL Lewis, P Lonard (Aus) -5 T Woods, D Hart -4C Smith, S Leaney (Aus), J Kelly, D Chopra (Swe), J Williamson, R Pampling (Aus), S Garcia (Spa), K Durkin, N (Zim)

The leading pair took advantage of their turn at Cottonwood Valley, the easier of the two courses used for the event, to card six-under-par 64s.

But Woods, who played at the Four Seasons TPC, needed only 24 putts and, with Dudley Hart, is just one behind.

Defending champion Vijay Singh shot a 68; Phil Mickelson and Ernie Els 69s.

Spain's Sergio Garcia and Daniel Chopra of Sweden are the leading Europeans, in a nine-way tie for fifth place on four under after 66s.

Meanwhile, a modest Lonard admitted a slice of good luck had played a part in his sizzling score.

"I don't think I hit the ball that well, but I putted well and hit a few greens, so it was a good day," the 36-year-old Australian said.

Lonard missed the first six weeks of the season with a cracked rib and has hardly fired on all cylinders since returning, apart from a fifth-place finish at the BellSouth Classic.

"I came back to Orlando over Christmas and broke my ribs training, so next year I'll stay in Australia and get drunk with my mates, like I always do," he added.