Singh, who won nine times last year, gave others hope by playing the rest of his round in 2-under, finishing at 8-under 65. The pack gratefully came up to greet him.

Singh stands at 15-under 131 midway through the PGA Tour's season-opening event. Weir is two shots back after scorching the Plantation for his second 63 — one off K.J. Choi's tournament and course record. Weir's first 63 came in his opening round of 2002.

"That was my highlight of the year, I think," the 2003 Masters champion said. "I hope this isn't a sign of 2002."

Els, who won here two years ago with a tour-record 31-under, is three back after a 65. Kaye and Sergio Garcia, No. 9 worldwide, both shot 67 and are four back.

Mike Weir

Singh is sizzling and still can't break away.

"I think it's great for the game of golf," Els said. "I think it's much better now than it was five years ago when Tiger was so far ahead of us."

For now, Singh sets the pace. He hasn't had a bogey in two days and hasn't even been close but for one bad swing on the ninth hole yesterday. That came after a breathtaking surge to start his round.

After hitting his tee shot on the next hole within four feet, he suddenly stepped out of his zone. Singh missed that putt and calmly told his caddy it made up for "the bomb" at No. 7. Then he hooked his next drive so far into the high weeds he hit a provisional ball.

"I wasn't comfortable, didn't know what shot to play there," Singh said. "The wind was left to right and I tried to hit a low one and came over the top a bit. Fortunately, I was able to find it."

He got up and down for par to save his momentum and, ultimately, his advantage. Weir was going wild just ahead, and actually was tied with Singh at 9-under after making the turn in 30.

Only a three-putt bogey on the 10th kept Weir from the course record as he sank nine birdie putts anywhere from three feet to 28, and launched in an eagle at the ninth from inside 12 feet. For the day, he had but 23 putts.

"When you're making putts on these greens, I know I'm on the right track because they are tough to read," Weir said. "The course is in perfect shape, but it's just tough to make them and there's so many factors you have to play into — the wind and the grain."

Woods birdied three of the last five, but was not as gracious. He again ripped the slowness of the putts — after missing seven from within 11 feet — and was happy only that Singh didn't run away.

"Hitting putts this hard from such a short distance is not what I like to do. But hey, we all have to do it," Woods admitted. "We've never seen the greens this slow here, so you just have to make an adjustment and go ahead and do it and then adjust it. That's the battle I'm trying to fight right now — getting up there and trusting the speed when it's so freaking slow."

Others have made peace with the Plantation, including Els, who said this event "is almost better than the Tour Championship, just because of the venue." Yesterday, Els felt he was playing nearly as well as he did two years ago.

If he is playing that well, Singh is as good — if not better — than last year and Weir is walking on water across the Plantation greens ... to say nothing of all the rumbling going on just below, the shootout will continue this weekend. The swarm is just beginning.

Sony Open on deck

All but six of the golfers here will be on O'ahu next week for the Sony Open in Hawai'i. The field released yesterday did not include Stephen Ames, Stuart Appleby, John Daly, Sergio Garcia, Joey Sindelar, Mike Weir and Tiger Woods.

The 143-man, one-girl (Michelle Wie) field does include former Sony and Hawaiian Open champions Paul Azinger, John Cook, Ernie Els, Brad Faxon, Jim Furyk, John Huston, David Ishii, Jerry Kelly, John Morse, Corey Pavin and Jeff Sluman. Retief Goosen and Todd Hamilton, major champions last year, also are playing.

Yesterday's final commitments pushed Hawai'i's Dean Wilson out of the exempt field and down to fourth alternate. Sponsor Exemptions were given to Toshi Izawa, Takashi Kimiyama, Larry Mize, Scott Simpson, Hideto Tanihara, Omar Uresti and Wie. Hideki Kase and Toru Taniguchi received Foreign Exemptions.

Four more players will be added after Monday's qualifier at Pearl Country Club.

Singh's benefit auction

Vijay Singh is auctioning a "2005 Buick Rainier/Golf Experience Package" on eBay. All proceeds will benefit young survivors of the tsunamis in South Asia. UNICEF's U.S. Fund made the announcement yesterday.

Singh won the Buick Rainier at last year's Buick Open. He also donated a set of reshafted clubs he used and tickets to 14 tour events.

"I am from Asia, my heart is from there," said Singh. "I feel for the people there."

Singh, from Fiji, if is of Indian descent. His wife, Ardena, is from Malaysia.

The package can be found at ebay.com/vijaysingh. Bidding begins Monday. The tour will match what Singh raises.