Woods' drive for 5 Slams opens with 3-stroke lead
By Jaymes Song
Associated Press
PO'IPU, Kaua'i — Tiger Woods wants to win every tournament, whether it's the Masters or an all-star event like the PGA Grand Slam of Golf.
Mark J. Terrell • Associated Press
"I'm here to compete, there's no doubt about that," he said. "I'm here to win."
Tiger Woods hits out of the sand on the sixth hole during the first round of the Grand Slam of Golf at Po'ipu, Kaua'i. Woods has a three-stroke lead entering today's final round.
The Masters and U.S. Open champion shot a 6-under-par 66 yesterday to take a three-stroke lead over Justin Leonard in the PGA Grand Slam of Golf.
Davis Love III and PGA Championship winner Rich Beem opened with a 72 in the 36-hole event for the year's major champions.
With Woods winning two majors and British Open champion Ernie Els withdrawing from the event, Love and Leonard gained invitations based on their finishes in the majors.
Woods, who is seeking his fifth consecutive Grand Slam title, put pressure on his opponents early en route to his bogey-free round. He made the turn at 31 to take a two-stroke lead over Leonard and Love.
Woods' front nine included an eagle on the 524-yard No. 2 and birdies on Nos. 4, 6 and 7. He remained steady on the back nine, and he added a birdie on the 537-yard 14th hole.
On the eagle, Woods blasted a 343-yard drive and hit an 8-iron within 25 feet of the cup. He sank the putt, drawing a roar from the gallery.
"As far as being three shots ahead, there's a lot of work still ahead for me," Woods said.
Leonard closed to a stroke of Woods with a birdie on No. 11, but Woods got a stroke back three holes later. Leonard then carded his first bogey on No. 17.
