Golf: Clarke takes early lead as Tiger lurks

TORONTO - Tiger Woods has underlined his determination to reclaim the top ranking from Vijay Singh with a first round four-under 67 at the Nissan Open to sit one shot behind clubhouse leader Darren Clarke.

Clarke shot a five-under round of 66 at the Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles, highlighted by a hole-in-one on the par-three sixth, to sit one shot clear of Woods and three others.

Woods, who needs to finish no worse than outright fourth at this US$4.8 million (NZ$6.6m) event to retake top spot, opened his round brilliantly with birdies on his first two holes.

Playing the back nine first, the eight-time major winner dropped a shot on the par-four 13th before he made three consecutive birdies from 15 through 17 to go four-under.

His charge stalled on the front nine shooting even par with two birdies and a pair of bogeys.

Argentine Jose Coceres, Australia's Adam Scott and American Kevin Sutherland were also among the earlier finishers joining Woods at four under.

Champion Mike Weir of Canada began his round with a birdie on his first.

South Africa's Retief Goosen had earlier been disqualified after missing his tee time for Wednesday's Pro-Am event when he failed to wake up in time.

- REUTERS