Woods in striking range of leaders at PGA Championship (Roundup)

By DB Peters Aug 13, 2010, 2:36 GMT

Sheboygan, Wisconsin - Tiger Woods found some of the form that had taken him to the top of the golfing world on Thursday as he kept within striking distance of the overnight leaders at the end of the first day PGA Championship.

Woods finished his round on the Whistling Straits course in Kohler, Wisconsin with a one-under par 71, three shots behind a group of five players who carded a four-under 68.

Of those, only Bubba Watson and Francesco Molinari had finished their round, while South African Ernie Els and American Matt Kuchar had played through 14 holes and Nick Watney had played just 11 as fog early in the morning played havoc with the tee-off times.

Behind the leaders six player were on three-under, but just Australian Jason Day and Americans Ryan Moore and Charles Howell III had completed their first round.

Big-hitter Watson, who has the second best driving average on the tour behind Robert Garrigus, hit six birdies and two bogies, while the Italian-born Molinari, who is the younger of two brothers playing in the championship had a birdie and bogey less, but finished his round with three birdies on the last five holes.

'I played well all day and I tried to stay out of trouble, which I think is the key really in major golf. I have been putting alright and I had a good start and then I just enjoyed myself,' he said.

The early starters had to wait before teeing off due to fog and Molinari said that had made it difficult. 'Today has been a very long day. We have been waiting in the players' area three, four hours this morning, so it has been quite tiring, but I think we will have time to relax.'

Tiger Woods, who came into the tournament off a disastrous 18-over and second-last place in the Bridgestone Invitational last weekend, managed to stay one-under on 71 to stay in contention.

'This round was a lot better than I have been playing. I got off to a good start. I worked hard, but dropped a few shots, but it was a round under par.

'I hit the ball pretty good. I felt I had control. I feel more confident. I played too good not to shoot under par, and it would have been very disappointing and frustrating to end up at even par as well as I played today,' Woods said.

Because of the fog-delay, Thursday's late starters on the picturesque course on the banks of Lake Michigan will have to come out early on Friday to complete their first round before starting on their second.

Among them was Phil Mickelson, who could take over from Woods as the world number one if he wins or finishes well ahead of his rival in the top four.

The left-handed Mickelson was one-under after 11 holes.