Reed leads as Woods fights back

Patrick Reed grabbed a one-shot lead in the opening round of the WGC-Cadillac Championship with a four-under 68.

Patrick Reed endured rain and strong wind to take the lead [AFP]

American Patrick Reed grabbed a one-shot lead at the end of the rain-delayed opening round of the WGC-Cadillac Championship while Tiger Woods saved his day with a blazing finish.

Reed, who had a four-way share of the overnight lead when play was halted due to darkness, returned early on Friday to complete his final seven holes en route a four-under 68.

Compatriots Harris English, Jason Dufner, Dustin Johnson, Matt Kuchar, Hunter Mahan and Italian Francesco Molinari were all a further shot back.

Woods, a seven-times winner of the WGC-Cadillac, picked up where he left on Thursday. After bogeying the 10th in the evening dusk Woods returned to the Blue Monster layout in the morning sun and promptly bogeyed the 11th to go to three over.

The defending champion’s woes continued with a bogey at 13 and a double-bogey at 14 to send him plummeting down the leaderboard.

But he hit back with three straight birdies from the 15th to claw his way back into contention before finding the water on the 18th to finish with yet another bogey and four-over 76.

Playing partner Adam Scott, who will have a chance to replace Woods as world number one with a win this week, began his day one shot back of the leaders but quickly found himself heading in the wrong direction with a double-bogey on 11.

Source: Reuters