Clubhouse Lead for Woods

Woods' round, which started on No. 10, included six birdies on his back nine.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- Tiger Woods shot a 30 on his back nine in the Quail Hollow Championship, taking advantage of a sharp short game on his way to a 7-under 65 and a three-shot lead among the early starters.

Woods, who started his round on No. 10, didn't catch the leaders until a simple up-and-down for birdie on the par-5 fifth hole of Thursday's opening round. He pulled away by closing with three straight birdies, the last one with a 6-iron from the rough into 12 feet.

Woods came close to making bogey twice, but escaped with tap-in pars.

Two-time U.S. Open champion Retief Goosen was at 68, along with Jeff Maggert, Hunter Mahan and Lucas Glover. Masters champion Angel Cabrera had a 70.

Defending champ Anthony Kim was among the late starters.