Woods takes two-shot lead in Charlotte

Charlotte, May 01: Tiger Woods found his putting touch to post his lowest score in more than a year and take a two-stroke lead after the opening round at the USD 6.5 million (4.4 million pound) Quail Hollow Championship.

Woods, in his first start since a disappointing tie for sixth at the Masters, stormed home with six birdies on his inward half, including lengthy birdie putts on his last three holes on a pleasant spring morning at Quail Hollow.

His bogey-free seven-under-par 65 left him two strokes above Americans Phil Mickelson, Steve Marino and Jason Dufner, and Australian Robert Allenby.

"I hit a couple of loose shots here and there but I putted really well," Woods told reporters.

"I had a couple of key saves that kept the round going (and) it's always nice when you birdie the last three."

Woods, who won here in 2007 but missed last year's event through injury, left the Masters with steam coming from his ears after bogeying the final two holes.

"Augusta was a little frustrating because I was struggling with the two-way miss. I could miss it left and right.”

"It took a few days (to get over it) and once that was over, it was back to getting ready for this event," said the world number one, whose 65 matched his final round at the European Tour's Dubai Desert Classic last February.