ORLANDO, Fla. — Bart Bryant already won Jack Nicklaus' tournament. Opening with a 6-under 66 yesterday in the Bay Hill Invitational allowed him to think about adding Arnold Palmer's trophy to his collection.

Bryant surged to the top of a crowded leaderboard with a 3-iron into 12 feet for eagle-3 on the 16th hole to earn a share of the lead with Hawai'i's Dean Wilson, a Castle High and BYU alum.

Ernie Els, who missed four months toward the end of last year because of knee surgery, conquered the par-5 sixth hole with a 3-wood over the water and a bending, 50-foot eagle putt on the sixth en route to a 67.

Els was joined by former British Open champion Ben Curtis, former Bay Hill winner Chad Campbell, Lucas Glover and Jason Gore.

Tiger Woods was poised to join them, despite not feeling the least bit comfortable over his tee shots, approaches to the green or his putting. He was at 4 under until back-to-back bogeys put him at 70.

Wilson is off to his best start — still no wins, but keeping his name closer to the top of the leaderboard instead of the cut line.

"Every year I seem to get a little more comfortable with what's going on," said Wilson, who is currently 37th on the money list.

In his fourth full year on tour, his best finish so far in nine tournaments this season is a tie for seventh place in the Nissan Open.

LPGA

SONG'S 64 TOPS SAFEWAY

Aree Song fired an 8-under 64 to take a one-stroke lead over Sarah Lee and Maria Hjorth in the Safeway International at Superstition Mountain, Ariz.

The 19-year-old Song, in her third season on the LPGA Tour, made eight birdies on the 6,620-yard Prospector Course.

Sixteen golfers are within three shots of the lead at the par-72 Superstition Mountain Golf and Country Club.

Annika Sorenstam, the two-time defending champion, is tied for 28th place, five shots back after opening with a 69.