PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Florida: Nick Watney reversed his recent fortunes Thursday to seize The Players Championship first-round lead, but there was more bad luck for Tiger Woods. Watney carded an eight-under par 64 for a one-shot lead over Lucas Glover. Woods, however, hobbled off after nine holes because of knee and Achilles injuries in his left leg. “I'm having a hard time walking,” said Woods, who was making his first start since an equal fourth place finish at the Masters. It was at Augusta that Woods said he suffered the “minor injury” to his leg, although it now appears it could cost him serious time from the course. Watney launched his round with birdies in a row from the 10th. He rebounded after a double-bogey at 14 with a birdie at 15 and had five more birdies and an eagle against one more bogey on the front nine. Glover, who won last week at Quail Hollow, birdied his first hole to keep that momentum going. Mark O'Meara, who qualified by winning the Seniors Player Championship, was tied for third after a six-under 66. The 54-year-old US veteran was even with David Toms, who played without a bogey. PGA champion Martin Kaymer of Germany, who can reclaim the world No. 1 ranking by winning or finishing alone in second, opened with a 67. He also had a close-up look at Woods' struggles as he was paired with the 14-time major champion and Matt Kuchar. Kaymer was joined on 67 by US Open champion Graeme McDowell of Northern Ireland, South African Rory Sabbatini and Spain's Alvaro Quiros. US Ryder Cup captain Davis Love, a two-time Players champion carded a 68, as did Ben Crane and J.B. Holmes. At Sawgrass' signature 17th hole, a par-three featuring an island green, Crane's ball was caught by a gust of wind and hit the wooden frame that surrounds the green. It bounced clear of the water and into the gallery. His shot back hit the wood again and rolled to the front of the green. He two-putted for a bogey. Wood grabs three-shot lead In Spain, England's Chris Wood mastered tricky, breezy conditions to open up a three-shot lead at the halfway stage of the Iberdrola Open Friday as he closed in on a maiden European Tour title. The 23-year-old carded a five under par 65 to move to eight under par with compatriot Matthew Nixon and experienced Northern Irishman Darren Clarke, who both hit level par 70s, back in second place. Wood came closest to winning a Tour title in January when he lost a playoff to British Open champion Louis Oosthuizen at the Africa Open in East London. “It will happen - I just need to keep putting myself in these positions,” said Wood. “The more that I can do that then the more chances I will have to win.” Clarke, who won the last of his 12 European Tour titles at the KLM Open in 2008, started with an outward 38, but four birdies in six holes after the turn put him back on track. There was another dropped shot when his tee shot found water at the 16th, but the former Ryder Cup star was satisfied with his day's work. Overnight leader Gregory Bourdy slumped to a seven over par 77 for the second round which sent him back to level par overall.
