Shanghai:  India's Jyoti Randhawa outclassed Tiger Woods and a field boasting many of the world's best with a flawless seven-under to take the first-round lead at the HSBC Champions tournament here yesterday (Nov 9, 2006).

Randhawa, who described his performance as one of the finest rounds of his career, finished the day one clear of 2005 US Open champion Michael Campbell, South Korea's Yang Yong-Eun and Scotland's Marc Warren.

In perfect conditions at the Sheshan International Golf Club, world number one Woods failed to fire, shooting an even-par 72, while fellow countryman and world number two Jim Furyk finished a stroke further back at one over.

The five-million-dollar tournament has also attracted the best from Europe, with 2006 European Order of Merit winner Padraig Harrington of Ireland shooting a five-under 67 to be just two shots off the pace.

Randhawa, who at age 34 has a 2002 Asian Order of Merit title to his credit but no European or US PGA titles, appeared shell-shocked at leading a field that includes 10 of the world's top 20 players.

"Frankly, I don't know what to think about it. Just thinking about it might upset my rhythm," Randhawa told reporters.
"This is one of the best rounds of my career it's great to have a good round in a field like this, with Tiger Woods and the best players in the world playing," he said.

Warren, at age 25 one of the rising stars of European golf, could well have joined him at the top of the leaderboard except that his and his playing partner Simon Dyson's balls appeared to have been stolen on the 15th hole.

The pair were forced to declare their balls which they drove down the middle of the fairway  lost and take a shot penalty. Warren eventually finished with a bogey on the 15th.

Warren said a marshal had told them that someone in the crowd had been seen rushing off, presumably with their balls.
"Obviously I was disappointed with what happened," Warren said, but added that he was happy with the way he fought back.

"I just take a lot from it that I was in the face of adversity, if you like, and I came back with a good finish. It's something I'm pretty proud of to be sitting here only one behind after that," he said.

Woods, who came to Shanghai recharged following a five-week layoff, finished the day frustrated after missing a series of birdie putts and dumping his ball into the water on the eighth hole, his 17th after playing the back nine first.

"I was in a position to get to three or four under par today... but unfortunately it didn't happen that way," he said.
"I've left myself with an awful lot of work with three days to go. It's very frustrating because I was right there in a position to get to four (under)," he said.

Nevertheless, Woods was in a jovial mood after the round, thanks largely to a surprise appearance from close friend and tennis world number one Roger Federer in the crowd.

Federer, who is Shanghai for the season-ending Masters Cup beginning Sunday, took time out from his preparations to watch Woods play most of his back nine.

"Roger's a great guy. We've become pretty good friends. And for him to come out here and watch and support is special," Woods said.

"Obviously he's getting ready for his tournament on Sunday. So for him to take some time out to watch me slash it around a little bit was very nice," he said.

Of the other big names, defending champion David Howell of England finished the day a disappointing one over, alongside countryman Paul Casey and Sweden's Robert Karlsson, as well as Furyk.

Two-time US Open champion Retief Goosen of South Africa shot four under to be in a big group three off the pace that included South Korean star K.J. Choi and Sweden's Johan Edfors.

Thailand's Chawalit Plaphol, a two-time Asian Tour winner but whose highest finish on the Asian Order of Merit was seventh last year, was another surprise performer, shooting five under to sit next to Harrington.