THOMASTOWN (Ireland), Sept 19: Tiger Woods birdied four of the last six holes for a course record of seven-under-par 65 and a one-shot lead in the first round of the WGC-American Express Championship Thursday.

The world number one, back in action after a three-week break, picked up three shots on his first nine and four more after the turn as he made the most of a calm day of sunshine at the par-72 Mount Juliet course.

That put him one clear of 2001 U.S. PGA champion David Toms and fellow American Steve Lowery, who chipped in twice during his round on his way to four birdies and an eagle-three at the 552-yard fifth.

Woods, winner of the 1999 American Express Championship, was generally delighted with his game, but was disappointed that he pulled several of his drives left on the longer holes.

Defending champion Mike Weir of Canada also made the most of the benign conditions, bouncing back from a faltering start to fire a 67 and share fourth place with Americans Chris DiMarco and Jerry Kelly, twice major winner Vijay Singh of Fiji, 2001 U.S. Open champion Retief Goosen and England’s Gary Evans.

A further stroke back was a group of 10 including British Open champion Ernie Els, twice U.S. Masters winner Jose Maria Olazabal, Zimbabwe’s Nick Price, Americans Justin Leonard, Kenny Perry and Scott Verplank and Swedish Ryder Cup player Niclas Fasth.

The tournament was not held last year because of the Sept 11 attacks in the United States.

The WGC-American Express Championship, which carries a total prize fund of $5.5 million, is the third WGC event of the year after February’s WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship and last month’s WGC-NEC Invitational.

Leading first round scores

65 - Tiger Woods (USA)

66 - Steve Lowery (USA), David Toms (USA)

67 - Mike Weir (Can), Vijay Singh (Fij), Chris DiMarco (USA), Jerry Kelly (USA), Gary Evans, Retief Goosen (Rsa)

68 - Kenny Perry (USA), Niclas Fasth (Swe), Scott Verplank (USA), Justin Leonard (USA), Jose Maria Olazabal (Spa), Jose Coceres (Arg), Bob Estes (USA), Nick Price (Zim), Ernie Els (Rsa), Craig Parry (Aus)

69 - Fred Funk (USA), Stephen Leaney (Aus), Kevin Sutherland (USA), Stuart Appleby (Aus), Davis Love (USA), Sergio Garcia (Spa), Rocco Mediate (USA), Jeff Sluman (USA), Padraig Harrington, Jim Furyk (USA)

70 - Adam Scott (Aus), Rich Beem (USA), Phil Mickelson (USA), Eduardo Romero (Arg), Brad Faxon (USA), Len Mattiace (USA).—Reuters