THOUSAND OAKS, Dec 10: Host Tiger Woods fired a four-under par 67 on Thursday to match fellow American Jim Furyk and Scotland's Colin Montgomerie for the lead after the first round of the World Challenge.

But the 16-man golf showdown proved far tougher upon world number one Vijay Singh, who soared to a 74 to share last with Canada's Stephen Ames at the 5.25 million-dollar, 72-hole made-for-television event at Sherwood Country Club.

Singh was named the PGA Player of the Year on Monday after becoming the only man to win 10 million dollars in a season, but the 41-year-old Fijian's nine 2004 titles are unlikely to be joined by the 1.2 million-dollar top prize here.

Second-ranked Woods, who won an event in Japan last month, had been Player of the Year the past five seasons and atop the rankings until dethroned by Singh in September.

Ireland's Padraig Harrington, Spain's Miguel Angel Jimenez and American Fred Couples each shared fourth on 68 while Americans Jay Haas and Chris DiMarco were two strokes behind the leaders.

Americans Chad Campbell, Stewart Cink and defending champion Davis Love fired 70s while US PGA Comeback Player of the Year John Daly, British Open winner Todd Hamilton and fellow American Kenny Perry were on 73. -Reuters