Woods hangs on to lead

Woods8217; outward half was six strokes worse than Sergio Garcia, who charged to the turn in six-under 29 after an eagle and four birdies. The Spaniard, buoyed after holing his approach shot for an eagle two at the second, sped to 11-under with birdies at the fifth, seventh, eighth and ninth.

But, as the skies turned grey and a gentle breeze developed, Garcia recorded eight successive pars on the back nine.

He was in joint second place with Angel Cabrera, Woods8217; playing partner Ernie Els and American

Jim Furyk.

Earlier, the championship burst into life with several stunning strokes all round the course.

Greg Owen of Britain sunk a massive 60-foot birdie putt at the 11th on his way to a 68 for 208.

Thailand8217;s Thaworn Wiratchant then holed his second shot for another eagle at the second but a double bogey at the 12th meant he slid to six-under. Carl Pettersson of Sweden holed out from a bunker for an eagle at the par-five fifth as he shot a 70 for 210, six under.

The shot of the day, however, came from John Senden. The Australian recorded the second hole-in-one of the week when he aced the 198-yard, par-three 13th with a six-iron on his way to a one-over 73.

Tony Jimenez