Woods played gracious host by missing a slew of putts and having to hit one shot left-handed from under tree on his way to a par 72. Woods thought scores would be higher than usual because the rough is so thick.

Clarke has been having a rough time off the course. His wife, Heather, has been battling cancer for the past three years and is in London going through chemotherapy again. Clarke pulled out of the U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2 when she took a turn for the worse and plays now only because it doesn't do either of them any good for him to stay at home.

"Any time you have a problem off the course, you can find sanctuary on it," Woods said of Clarke, one of his best friends on tour. "What he's going through, I wouldn't wish on anybody."

Padraig Harrington, who won this event two years ago, shot a 68, and Kenny Perry had a 69. Only three other players in the 16-man field broke 70, with Davis Love III and Colin Montgomerie bringing up the rear at 76.

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