Woods shares Zozo lead after strong start

Tiger Woods shares the lead alongside Gary Woodland at the Zozo Championship in Japan after carding a first round six-under-par 64. The 43-year-old 15-time major champion, who is looking to move level with Sam Snead’s all-time record of 82 PGA Tour victories, is making his first appearance since the BMW Championship in August. Woods, who has fully recovered from the knee surgery he underwent after that outing, endured a nightmare start with three successive bogeys at Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club. However, he responded strongly with nine birdies in the remaining 15 holes to sit at the top of the leaderboard with fellow American, Woodland. Speaking afterwards, the current Masters champion said: “I certainly was not expecting to shoot six-under par after that start. “It flipped and I got hot and made a bunch of putts. My putter has felt good and I’ve rolled it nicely and now I’m just trying to give myself good looks at it, which I didn’t give myself any looks the first three holes. “It felt like my iron game was sharp and if I can get the ball in a position where I can attack with the greens as soft as they are, I figure I can make a few and I made more than a few.” Home favourite Hideki Matsuyama sits just one shot behind the leading duo, while Rory McIlroy sits eight strokes off the pace after an opening-round 72.