Golf: Flawless Tiger carves up course

PEBBLE BEACH - Tiger Woods, playing in a chilly fog that eventually forced suspension of play for the day, shot a flawless six-under-par 65 yesterday to lead the first round of the United States Open golf championship.

Play was halted at 3.56 pm local time when the heavy fog shrouding the seaside course became so thick that it hindered visibility.

Seventy-five competitors in the 156-man field had yet to finish when play was stopped.

The first round will resume this morning.

New Zealander Michael Campbell overcame early nerves to shoot an even-par 71 to sit just outside the top 20.

The other New Zealander, Frank Nobilo, was three-over after six holes and facing an early start today.

Woods, seeking to add a third major title to his bulging trophy case, birdied two of Pebble Beach's three par-fives, two par-fours and the famous par-three seventh hole to hold a one-stroke lead over Miguel Angel Jimenez, of Spain, whose 66 was by far his best round in three US Opens.

John Huston, who played early in the morning before the fog rolled in, shot a 67 that left him alone in third place at four under.

Nick Faldo, who lost a US Open playoff to Curtis Strange in 1988, was also four under through 13 holes.

The 65 by Woods was the lowest score ever posted in four US Opens at Pebble Beach, which sits on cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

It was also his best score, by two strokes, in 18 rounds in the US Open.

Woods, aged 24, went out in two-under 33 and came home in four-under 32, capping off his round with a tap-in birdie out of the sand at the picturesque par-five finishing hole.

After several days of record heat along the Pacific coast, the wind started blowing in from the ocean about three hours after play began, bringing the cool fog with it.

Campbell admitted to some jitters before he teed off in his first US Open in four years, and his first tournament at Pebble Beach.

After being two-over at the halfway point, he recovered to be one of just 15 players on par or better for their completed rounds.

"I was very nervous teeing off today but after a few holes I settled down and got into my rhythm," Campbell said.

"I'm certainly in a good position and really looking forward to the second round.

"Having played the course one more time, I'm getting to know it a bit better and I'm sure I can make up some ground over the next three days."

Campbell was in good company on even par, alongside England's Lee Westwood and Americans Phil Mickelson, Tom Lehman and Paul Azinger.

- NZPA