Woods, Rose tied for lead at Tour Championship

Atlanta, GA, United States (4E Sports) – Tiger Woods and Justin Rose are tied for the lead after Thursday’s first round of the Tour Championship.

Woods and Rose both carded six birdies with a pair of bogeys and sit at 4-under 66 after 18 holes at East Lake.

Four players are a shot back with another five at 2-under in the final event of the FedEx Cup Playoffs.

If current projections hold, Woods would win the FedEx Cup and the $10 million bonus that comes with it. He would vault from third to first with Rory McIlroy back at 1-under and in a tie for 12th.

Woods had three birdies on each side, including consecutive birides at Nos. 15 and 16. He hit 10 of 14 fairways and 13 of 18 greens in regulation while tying for second in the field with 26 putts.

“As a whole, I played well today,” Woods said. “I hit a lot of good shots. Made a few putts out there, but actually I had a couple of good up‑and‑downs, which is nice. This golf course was, I think it was probably gettable today. Because it was playing so hot the ball was flying forever.”

Rose finished his round with a flourish, dropping a 50-footer for birdie on 18.

“If I keep it on the fairway, I feel my iron game and short game is coming around,” Rose said. “I’m beginning to get some confidence with the putter. So it was nice to get out of today with a hot start.”

Scott Piercy, Bo Van Pelt, Matt Kuchar and Steve Stricker are tied for third at 3-under. Hunter Mahan, Adam Scott, Robert Garrigus, Zach Johnson and Brandt Snedeker are another stroke behind after firing 68s.

McIlroy, who entered the tournament ranked first in the FedExCup, and No. 4 Phil Mickelson are among the group of seven at 69.

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