GOLF US Tour: Vijay Singh started a new golf season the way he spent much of the last one, at the top of the leaderboard after firing a seven-under 66 on Thursday to grab the first round lead at the $5.3 million Mercedes Championships.
Singh, who dominated in 2004 claiming nine events, over $10 million and the world number one ranking from Tiger Woods, underlined his intention to keep the crown with a controlled error-free display on the Kapalua Plantation course in Hawaii.
If the lanky Fijian was burdened by the pressure of starting the year as number one it did not show as he cruised through his opening round of the new campaign without a miscue, carding seven birdies in a bogey-free round.
Australian Craig Parry is tracking Singh after firing a six-under-par 67 with Woods and Sergio Garcia among a group of four lurking a further shot behind.
South Africa's world number three Ernie Els also played well to finish on four-under-par after an opening round of 69.
The anticipated year-long battle that many are predicting for golf supremacy needed only 18 holes to materialise, as the sport's very best traded shots in perfect conditions at the top of the leaderboard.
The elite-31 player winners-only field took full advantage of the benign conditions with only four golfers going over par.
Singh began quietly with just two birdies on the front nine but last year's US PGA Championship winner scorched the back nine with birdies on five of the first seven holes to take command.
"I played well today, I'll take a seven-under first day anytime," Singh said.
Woods, the champion here five years ago, opened his 2005 campaign with three birdies on the front nine but gave back a stroke on the par-four fourth when he misread a three-foot putt and watched his ball rim the cup.
While Woods's putter occasionally failed him, his play off the tee has been near flawless, lending weight to his claim that the overhaul of his swing is now complete.
Playing with a confidence that was missing at times last season, the former-world number one continued to attack on the back nine and carded three more birdies.
However, three consecutive pars from the 16th hole left Woods feeling frustrated.
"I really made nothing today," he said.
"I didn't make any putts, it was just frustrating. I didn't have any speed.
"I felt very good with my driver and placed the ball where I needed to place it."
Garcia also felt his putter had let him down. The Spaniard won this event in 2002 and opened his account with a bogey-free round, draining two birdies on the front nine and three more coming back, including the 18th.
"I'm looking forward to the year," said Garcia, who turns 25 tomorrow. "I played pretty well today, some putts didn't go in but it was good start."
Joining Garcia and Woods at five-under were Stewart Cink and Jonathan Kaye.
FIRST ROUND SCORES (USA unless stated, par 73): 66 - Vijay Singh (Fij). 67 - Craig Parry (Aus). 68 - Jonathan Kaye, Stewart Cink, Sergio Garcia (Spa), Tiger Woods. 69 - Vaughn Taylor, Chad Campbell, Ernie Els (Rsa), Steve Flesch, Adam Scott (Aus), Bart Bryant, Heath Slocum, Woody Austin. 70 - John Daly, Rodney Pampling (Aus), Mark Hensby (Aus), Mike Weir (Can). 71 - Joey Sindelar, David Toms, Retief Goosen (Rsa). 72 - Jonathan Byrd, Brent Geiberger, Zach Johnson, Todd Hamilton. 73 - Andre Stolz (Aus), Stephen Ames (Tri). 74 - Stuart Appleby (Aus), Carlos Franco (Par), Fred Funk. 76 - Ryan Palmer.
