Holmes, Allenby in joint lead

Woods cards 70 to stay four strokes off the pace

World number one Woods, who missed the cut for only the sixth time as a professional at the Quail Hollow Championship, cut a very different figure at the TPC Sawgrass as he ground out a two-under-par 70.

The 14-times Major winner recorded three birdies and a lone bogey in benign conditions to end his opening round four strokes behind the pacesetting Holmes and Allenby.
British world number four Lee Westwood was among a group of eight players bunched on 67 in a tie for third.

With the smile back on his face and a bit of swagger in his stride, Woods was on track for his first bogey-free display at Sawgrass in 13 appearances before he faltered at the last.
Despite bogeying the hole after pulling his tee shot left into water, he was overall satisfied with his start in the tournament widely considered the fifth Major" by the players. Having recently returned to golf after a self-imposed break of five months following revelations about extra-marital affairs, Woods felt he had received unfair criticism for his rusty form.

On a surprisingly calm day at Sawgrass where the greens were receptive and the average score of 71.103 was the lowest for the first round in 17 years, Holmes took advantage to set the early pace.  Allenby moved one stroke ahead of Holmes with seven birdies in his first 13 holes before he ran up a three-putt bogey at the par-three eighth, his penultimate hole.

US Masters champion Phil Mickelson, who could take over as world number one for the first time if he wins this week and Woods finishes outside the top five, matched his long-time rival by carding a 70.
"Shooting 70 today isn't the round that you want," Mickelson said.