Tiger shoots 65 for three-shot lead in Japan

MIYAZAKI, Japan (AP) -- Tiger Woods overcame soggy conditions to fire a 5-under 65 for a three-stroke lead Thursday after the first round of the Dunlop Phoenix.
Playing in a steady downpour at the Phoenix Country Club, Woods opened with a birdie on the par-4 10th hole and added four more to take the lead in the $1.89 million tournament, the richest on the Japanese tour.
"I don't remember leading after the first round of any tournament this year," said Woods, who teed off from the 10th. "Obviously, this is a very positive start."
Kaname Yokoo of Japan was second. Compatriot Hideto Tanihara, South Korean Kim Jong-duk and Australian Craig Parry carded 69s.
Woods, who lost his No. 1 ranking to Vijay Singh this year, is looking for his first win in Japan.
He finished eighth in this tournament two years ago. His other appearances in Japan include a 15th-place finish at the Casio World Open in 1998 and a second-place outcome at the 2001 World Cup, when he paired with fellow American David Duval.
British Open champion Todd Hamilton of the United States struggled with the wet conditions and finished with a 73 that included five bogeys.
Defending champion Thomas Bjorn of Denmark shot a 75.
Bjorn will be looking to tie the record of three Dunlop Phoenix titles held by Japan's Jumbo Ozaki, but sits 10 strokes off the pace.