FIRST-ROUND LEADERBOARD US unless stated -4 S Garcia (Spa) -3 P Sheehan, J Sindelar, K Perry, R Johnson (Swe) Selected others: -2 T Woods, V Singh -1 P Mickelson

Garcia's six-under 66 put him clear of defending champion Joey Sindelar, Patrick Sheehan, Kenny Perry and Sweden's Richard Johnson.

Tiger Woods, in his first appearance since winning the Masters, and world number one Vijay Singh both shot 70s.

England's Justin Rose and Ireland's Padraig Harrington carded 71s.

Englishmen Ian Poulter, Greg Owen and Brian Davis shot 72, 74 and 77 respectively.

Garcia said: "I feel good about the way I played but at the same time, this could have been amazing," said Garcia.

"I only missed one green. I didn't make as many putts as I deserved."

Garcia started at the 10th and was six-under after nine holes.

Bogeys at the first and second slowed him down, but he added a pair of birdies in his final seven holes.

"There was a little rust and I made some mental mistakes," Woods said. "It took a while to get back into my rhythm."

He finished with consecutive birdies, including a monster 40-foot effort on his final hole.

"I've had that putt before," Woods said. "I tried to make it and for some strange reason it went in."