Sizzling Stricker in charge, Woods slumps to a 77

JOHNS CREEK, Georgia, Aug 11 (Reuters) : Steve Stricker equalled the lowest round in a major to take control of the PGA Championship on Thursday while fellow American Tiger Woods spectacularly self-destructed after making a red-hot start.

The 44-year-old Stricker, who has yet to win one of golf’s grand slam events, fired a flawless seven-under-par 63 on a sweltering, sun-baked day at Atlanta Athletic Club to grab a two-shot lead.

American hopes of a first major victory since Phil Mickelson won last year’s Masters were given a further lift with Jerry Kelly next best after carding a six-birdie 65, ahead of compatriots Shaun Micheel (66) and Scott Verplank (67).

Former world number one Woods, however, posted his worst ever opening round in a major as he imploded on the way to a 77 after making three birdies in his first five holes.

“I’m not down, I’m really angry right now so there’s a lot of words I could use,” four-times PGA champion Woods, who has not won a tournament in two years, told reporters after recording three double-bogeys and ending up in 12 bunkers.

Stricker, long regarded as one of the best putters in the game, birdied five of his first nine holes and picked up two more shots after the turn to become the 23rd player to shoot a 63 in a major.

The world number five came close to an eighth birdie of the day at the par-four ninth, his final hole, and a first-ever 62 in a major after hitting a superb approach to 12 feet.

However, he pushed his first putt past the right edge of the cup and had to settle for a two-putt par.

“I was just trying to make a birdie and finish at eight under,” Stricker, an 11-times PGA Tour winner, said. “I really was concentrating on the putt but never thought about the history part of it.

“I wish I would have been able to make that putt to be one better than that group of guys, but 63 is a heck of a start. One round under my belt, take tomorrow as it comes and go from there.”

Kelly’s 65 matched his lowest ever score in the majors and he was delighted to occupy the top of the leaderboard with fellow Wisconsin native Stricker.