Golf: Garcia surges while Woods in pack

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina - Sergio Garcia hit six birdies in his opening nine holes to charge into a two-shot lead with a six-under-par 66 after the first round of the US$5.6 million ($7.71 million) Wachovia Championship today.

Playing his first PGA Tour event since missing the cut at the Masters in the middle of April, showed no signs of rust on a cool, windy day.

Garcia, 25, who played the back nine first, dropped shots at the first and second holes before recovering with birdies at the fifth and ninth.

Sweden's Richard S Johnson and Americans Patrick Sheehan, Kenny Perry and champion Joey Sindelar shared second place on 68 while Jim Furyk, Andrew Magee, Jeff Maggert and Swede Jesper Parnevik were a further stroke adrift on 69.

Tiger Woods, in action for the first time since winning the Masters, carded 70 after beginning his round at the 10th, while New Zealand's Craig Perks was well back after posting 76.

Woods, who picked up his fourth green jacket at Augusta, was two-over after five holes before rallying with birdies at the 15th, first and second.

The world No 1 gained another stroke at the fifth but bogeyed the sixth and seventh before closing with two more birdies.

"I made some mental mistakes, there was a little bit of rust out there," Woods said.

"It took a little bit to get back that competitive flow but I felt great."

A big reason Woods was able to walk away with a broad smile and a trademark fist pump was a snaking 40-foot putt for birdie at the ninth.

Also on 70 was world No 2 Vijay Singh, of Fiji, who mixed six birdies with four bogeys.

World No 4 Phil Mickelson, another player back in action for the first time since the Masters, battled to a one-under 71 to join a large group that included Ireland's Padraig Harrington.

- REUTERS