Tiger takes early lead, seeks fifth straight title

Tiger Woods bent over and grabbed his knees, thinking his 3-wood that clipped the top branch of an oak tree had trickled down from the green and into a hazard.

Once he realized it was in a bunker, it changed his outlook and put him in a spot that is becoming routine.

Woods got up-and-down from 90 feet for a birdie on the par-5 18th hole Friday, giving him a 5-under 66 and a one-shot lead in the first round of the Deutsche Bank Championship. It was the 10th time in his last 16 rounds he has been atop the leaderboard.

Aaron Baddeley, playing in the same group as Woods, shot a 67, joining Bob May, Justin Rose, Joe Ogilvie and Australian rookie Nathan Green.

Woods is trying to win for the fifth straight time on the PGA Tour, a streak that began with his victory in the British Open. Taking the lead from the start is an ominous sign, although it doesn't mean much on the TPC of Boston.

A year ago, Woods barely broke a sweat in opening with a 65, then failed to break par the rest of the week and tied for 40th. He was tied for the lead after one round two years ago in the Deutsche Bank, and wound up finishing three shots behind Vijay Singh.

Then again, he hasn't been on a roll like this since his record-breaking 2000 season.

"I feel in control of my golf ball," Woods said. "I've still got some things to work on. It could be better."

LPGA Tour

Christie Kerr shot an 8-under par 64 and was tied with Maria Hjorth at 12 under, one stroke ahead of Il Mi Chung, who had a 66, after the second round of the State Farm Classic at The Rail Golf Club in Springfield, Ill.

Lorena Ochoa (70) was five shots off the lead, with Annika Sorenstam (68) at 6 under. Defending champion Pat Hurst was 2-over and missed the cut.

-- The Associated Press