Price far lower than the rest

With most of the attention focused on Tiger Woods, Nick Price of Zimbabwe stole the spotlight in the first round of the Western Open in Illinois.

Without a win on the PGA Tour for more than two years, Price tied a course record with a nine-under-par 63 to open a three-shot lead over Jim Furyk. Price birdied eight of the first 11 holes during a bogey-free round, reeling off four straight birdies on two occasions.

Four players were tied for third at five-under, with a logjam of 10 players another shot back. Sixteen golfers stood within five strokes of the lead.

Making his first appearance since his record-breaking performance at the US Open, Woods settled for a two-under 70 and was seven shots behind Price.

Earlier Woods dealt next January's World Matchplay Championship a crushing blow by saying he will not be flying to Australia for the £3 million event.

Leading First Round Scores (US unless stated): 63 - N Price (Zimbabwe). 66 - J Furyk. 67 - C Paulson, S Stricker, F Couples, S Appleby, 68 - B Glasson, R Freeman, D Paulson, B Mayfair, G Hjertstedt, J Durant, K Perry, M Wiebe, DA Weibring, O Browne. 69 - F Langham, B Elder, J Williamson, M Weir, JL Lewis, T Armour, G Kraft, E Harrison Frazar, JD Blake, R Allenby, G Day, S Flesch.