Golf-Woods charges into tie for early lead at Bay Hill

ORLANDO, Florida, Mar 15 (Reuters) Tiger Woods birdied two of his last three holes for a six-under-par 64 and a share of the early lead in the Arnold Palmer Invitational first round today.

The world number one, seeking his fifth title at the Bay Hill Club, rattled up seven birdies and one bogey in relatively calm conditions to finish level with fellow American Vaughn Taylor.

Spaniard Sergio Garcia fired a five-birdie 66, his lowest round on the 2007 PGA Tour, to lie two strokes off the pace with Sweden's Carl Pettersson.

South Korea's K J Choi and American Mark Calcavecchia, winner of last week's Tampa Bay Championship, were among a group bunched on 67.

Back on the PGA Tour after a two-week break, Woods was in upbeat mood after a polished display at one of his favourite venues.

''It's definitely my best round of the year,'' the 31-year-old told reporters after hitting 17 greens in regulation. ''I hit the ball well and felt like I controlled my flight all day, even when the wind started picking up.

''I missed a couple of putts early on but after that I felt I rolled the ball really well. We had the benign conditions early and I just wanted to go out there and shoot at least under par on that front nine.'' Woods, who won the Buick Invitational in his first start of the season, said he had not played as well from tee to green since last year's WGC-American Express Championship.

''I did it pretty good at the Amex, and I did it for all 72 holes there which was fun,'' he added, referring to his eight-shot victory at The Grove in Hertfordshire, England last October.

After teeing off at the par-four 10th, Woods reeled off four birdies in five holes from the 11th, a 28-footer at the par-four 15th lifting him to four under.

He ran up his only bogey of the day at the par-four 18th, his second shot spinning back off the front right of the green to finish beside rocks from where he had to take a penalty drop.

Out in three-under 32, he picked up further shots at the third and seventh before hitting a superb approach to within seven feet of the flag at the ninth.

Masters champion Phil Mickelson and Ernie Els, winner at Bay Hill in 1998, were among the late starters.

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