DUBLIN, Ohio — Defending champion Hideki Matsuyama piled up four birdies on each nine to surge into a tie for the lead at the Memorial Tournament Thursday as Tiger Woods fought back from a messy start to open with a one-over 73. Japanese Matsuyama, who won last year's title in a playoff with American Kevin Na, took advantage of relatively soft conditions on a calm, overcast day at Muirfield Village to fire a flawless eight-under-par 64. That put the 23-year-old Asian joint top at the tournament hosted by Jack Nicklaus, level with American Bo Van Pelt, who birdied six of his first nine holes before losing some momentum after the turn. “I hit the ball very well today, had a lot of birdie putts and putted well so I'm very happy with the round,” Matsuyama, speaking through an interpreter, told Golf Channel. Scotland's Russell Knox and American Jason Dufner carded 66s while world No. 2 Jordan Spieth, the highest-ranked player in the field, recovered from a slow start to card a 68. Woods, however, covered his first nine holes in an ugly four-over 40 before scrambling on his second nine with three late birdies to salvage his round. “Some of the shots I hit were really, really good, but then I also had some really bad shots,” the former world No. 1 said. Woods, a five-time champion at Muirfield Village whose world ranking has plummeted to 172nd, ended his roller-coaster round with five birdies, four bogeys and a double at the tricky par-four 18th, his ninth hole of the day. He is playing only his fifth PGA Tour event of the season after struggling with his game, and has not competed since tying for 69th at the Players Championship last month. Woods, Kerr, Kongkraphan match course record Cheyenne Woods, Cristie Kerr and P.K. Kongkraphan matched the course record at 9-under 63 Thursday to share the first-round lead in the Manulife LPGA Classic at Cambridge, Ontario. Woods, Tiger Woods' niece, and Kerr tied the Whistle Bear Golf Club record set by Matt Bettencourt and Jon Mills, in the Web.com Tour's 2005 Canadian PGA Championship. The tournament is in its first year at Whistle Bear after three years at Grey Silo in Waterloo. Woods had an eagle, eight birdies and a bogey. The 24-year-old LPGA Tour rookie won the Ladies European Tour's Australian Ladies Masters last year. The 37-year-old Kerr had 10 birdies and a bogey, playing her opening nine in 7-under 29. She won the Kia Classic in California in March for her 17th LPGA Tour title. Kongkraphan, from Thailand, also had 10 birdies and a bogey. Israel's Laetitia Beck and Germany's Sandra Gal were a stroke back. — Agencies
