Montgomerie grabs lead at American Express

Colin Montgomerie showed no effects from an emotional victory four days ago in Scotland, matching his career-low score in the United States with a 6-under 64 that gave him a three-shot lead Thursday in the American Express Championship.

Tiger Woods, Vijay Singh and nine others were at 67 on a spectacular day at Harding Park, a municipal course in San Francisco that got a $16 million makeover and held its own against the world's best players.

It was right up Montgomerie's alley.

He looked like the Monty of old with tee shots that split the tree-lined fairways, making the game look simple in a bogey-free round. The 42-year-old Scot ran off three straight birdies to close out the back nine, then added his lone birdie on the front with a wedge into 18 inches.

John Daly also was at 67 along with Mark Calcavecchia, Olin Browne, Sergio Garcia, David Howell, Fred Funk, Ian Poulter, Chad Campbell and Rod Pampling.

LPGA Tour

Cristie Kerr had consecutive eagles in a career-best 9-under 62 to take a four-stroke lead in the first round of the Longs Drugs Challenge in Auburn, Calif.

Kerr also had seven birdies and two bogeys on The Ridge Golf Club course. She played an eight-hole stretch in 9 under, highlighted by her eagles on Nos. 15 and 16.

Hall of Famer Beth Daniel, Becky Iverson and Marilyn Lovander opened with 66s, and Lindsey Wright also was 5 under through 17 holes when play was suspended because of darkness. Annika Sorenstam, the 1997 champion at Twelve Bridges, shot a 68 in her first appearance in the tournament since 2001.

-- From wire reports