Golf: Tiger Woods in five-way tie for lead at Cadillac Championship

Golf » No. 1 player is seven shots off the lead at Cadillac Championship.

By Doug Ferguson

| The Associated Press

First Published Mar 07 2013 03:55 pm • Last Updated Mar 07 2013 11:58 pm

Doral, Fla. • Tiger Woods was on his game, and so were most of the world best golfers Thursday in the Cadillac Championship.

Except for the world’s No. 1 player.

Woods made nine birdies on the Blue Monster at Doral for a 6-under 66 that put him in a five-way share of the lead with Masters champion Bubba Watson, former U.S. Open champion Graeme McDowell, Sergio Garcia and Freddie Jacobson.

This World Golf Championship lived up to its name with Phil Mickelson, Steve Stricker and Hunter Mahan among those one shot behind.

But it was another rough day for Rory McIlroy.

He hit only three fairways and made six bogeys that kept him at par or worse on a perfect day for scoring. Despite making a 15-foot eagle putt on the par-5 first hole, and lacing a 5-iron over the water for another eagle attempt on the par-5 eighth that narrowly missed, the best he could manage was a 73.

McIlroy has yet to break par this year.

"It was a bit of a struggle, to be honest," McIlroy said to Sky Sports. "Hit some good shots. Hit some not-so-good shots. As I’ve been saying all week, this is a work in progress and I’m working at it and I’m staying patient."

He declined to speak to reporters, grabbing a quick lunch and smiling at screaming fans who wanted his autograph as he headed to the practice range.

McIlroy played alongside Woods and Luke Donald — Nos. 1, 2 and 3 in the world — and while this essentially is a home game for Woods having won three times at Doral, the occasional shouts of "You’re the real No. 1, Tiger" rang true.

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