Ogilvy, Jimenez lead at Doral

Woods two off the pace after day one

Last updated: 21st March 2008

miguel angel jimenez

Jimenez: Eagled the first

Leaders:
-7 G Ogilvy (Aus)
-7 MA Jimenez (Spa)
-6 S Cink (US)
-5 T Woods (US)
-5 P Mickelson (US)
-5 A Scott (Aus)
-5 A Hansen (Den)
-5 N O'Hern (Aus)

Related links

News

Report

Also see

Geoff Ogilvy of Australia and Spain's Miguel Angel Jimenez carded rounds of 65 to lead after the first round of the WGC-CA Championship at Doral.

The pair, who have made inauspicious starts to the season, went round the 'Blue Monster' in seven under par to lead by a stroke from American Stewart Cink.

Former US Open champion Ogilvy did all his good work on the front nine, birdieing five of the first eight holes in a flawless round, picking up further shots at the 12th and 18th.

"The last couple of weeks have been pretty good. I had a slow start this year but I played really good in the last round last week, so it's been coming," admitted Ogilvy, whose wife gave birth in January.

Positive thoughts

"It's always nice to come back to a place you're comfortable at, because it makes for more positive thoughts.

"I drove the ball very well, which is key around here because the rough is not very nice. I hit my irons pretty good, gave myself a lot of chances and made those chances."

Jimenez eagled the par-five first but was only three-under standing on the 14th tee, but he promptly birdied four of the last five holes to join Ogilvy at the top of the standings.

Red-hot Tiger Woods looked capable of joining them after more superb golf, picking up shots at the 14th, 15th and 17th before an uncharacteristic lapse saw him bogey the last after missing from five feet and drop into a tie for fourth with a round of 67.

"I didn't really do anything all that special today," said Woods, who is bidding for a fourth successive victory in this event.

"I hung in there and took care of the par-fives and made a couple other birdies but all in all I just ground it out.

"I wasn't hitting the ball all that poorly. I was hitting it in the right spots and just didn't make any putts until 15 and 16. You three-putt 18, you're not going to be real happy."

English duo Luke Donald and Ross Fisher enjoyed solid rounds of 68, while countryman Justin Rose felt hard done-by after reaching four under par before signing for a 70.

"I played well coming in, hit some great putts on 16, 17 and 18 that all defied gravity," said last year's European number one.

"I played well, stayed patient, attitude was great, played the best I've played all year. I felt it could have been or should have been a few better but at least inside I feel good about the round.

"Mentally, today was the biggest improvement. I felt a lot more calm out on the course, a lot more patient."

However, Colin Montgomerie had a woeful start to the week carding a 75 to lie amongst the back markers.

The Scot was five-over with five to play but two birdies late on may have given the 44-year-old something to smile about. Or maybe not.

Monty requires a top-four finish this week to earn a place in the field at next month's Masters.