Bryant tops leaderboard at Bay Hill Invitational

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Bart Bryant already won Jack Nicklaus' tournament. Opening with a 6-under 66 on Thursday in the Bay Hill Invitational in Orlando, Fla., allowed him to think about adding Arnold Palmer's trophy to his collection.

Bryant surged to the top of a crowded leaderboard with a 3-iron into 12 feet for eagle on the 16th hole and a string of good iron shots for a share of the lead with Dean Wilson.

It was the first time Bryant broke par in the first round this year, a sign that he is finally feeling comfortable after having surgery on his right knee at the end of his stellar 2005 season.

He wasn't alone in either category -- knee surgeries and good starts.

Ernie Els missed four months toward the end of last year because of knee surgery, and his return to the PGA Tour was slowed by tentative play and sloppy starts. He found another gear on a sunny, balmy day at Bay Hill by conquering the par-5 sixth hole with a 3-wood over the water and a bending, 50-foot eagle putt on the sixth.

Els wound up with a 67 and had company. He was joined by former British Open champion Ben Curtis, former Bay Hill winner Chad Campbell, Lucas Glover and Jason Gore.

Tiger Woods was poised to join them, despite not feeling the least bit comfortable over his tee shots, approaches to the green or his putting. He was at 4 under until back-to-back bogeys put him at 70.

LPGA Tour

Aree Song shot an 8-under 64 to take a one-stroke lead Thursday over Sarah Lee and Maria Hjorth at the Safeway International in Superstition Mountain, Ariz.

Sixteen golfers are within three shots of the lead at the par-72 Superstition Mountain Golf and Country Club.

Annika Sorenstam, the two-time defending champion, is tied for 28th place, five shots back.

-- From wire reports