Golf: Ailing Woods opens with 69 at Riviera

PACIFIC PALISADES, California - Tiger Woods, battling a dose of flu, kept alive his hopes of a third successive victory this year with a two-under-par 69 in the Nissan Open first round today.

The world No 1, who triumphed at the Buick Invitational in San Diego in late January and also at the Dubai Desert Classic the following week, mixed six birdies with two dropped shots and a double-bogey at the par-three fourth.

"I was just disgusted with how I felt," a frustrated Woods said after finishing five strokes behind early leaders Justin Rose of Britain and American Dean Wilson.

"I was wishing my head would clear up, wishing this fever would break. It's not going to happen.

"I don't feel very good, I feel tired and I'm going to go home and go to sleep.

"Considering everything, though, I will take a 69 in a heartbeat. Give me anything, under par is a good score."

Britain's Justin Rose fired a seven-under-par 64 to hold a share of the early lead with American Dean Wilson.

Champion Adam Scott of Australia, who won last year's rain-hit tournament after just two rounds, opened with a 68.

Among the late starters, 1999 winner Ernie Els was one under par after 10 holes.

Rose, playing his third full season on the PGA Tour, made the most of near-perfect conditions with a seven-birdie display at the Riviera Country Club.

After teeing off at the 10th, the 25-year-old Englishman picked up shots on 11, 12 and 16 to reach the turn in three-under 33.

Further birdies followed on one, four, six and eight, where he almost holed out with a nine-iron approach.

"I'm really happy to go out there and get off to a good start," Rose told reporters. "I kept making birdies at nice times to keep the momentum going.

"I drove the ball better today than I have all year and I have felt good enough to win at any time over the last few months."

Hawaiian Wilson, yet to win on the PGA Tour, matched Rose with a blemish-free performance in his sixth start of the season.

The Las Vegas-based professional drove the green at the 315-yard 10th, his opening hole, to set up a two-putt birdie and picked up six more shots with some sparkling approach play to join Rose at the top of the leaderboard.

"I played really nicely today," said the 36-year-old. "I seem to prefer courses where there is a lot more shot-making involved.

"The first nine holes, I played really well and I managed to keep that momentum going."

Fred Couples, champion in 1990 and 1992, shot a 66 to share third place with fellow American Billy Mayfair, the 1998 winner, and Sweden's Jesper Parnevik.

- REUTERS