(CNN) — Steve Stricker fired a record-equaling 63 to lead the US PGA Championship as Tiger Woods slumped to a round of seven-over-par.
Stricker took advantage of favorable morning conditions at the Atlanta Athletic Club in Georgia to post the joint lowest score in a major and sit on seven-under.
Woods was tied for the lead on three-under after five holes but then made three double bogeys and five bogeys to sit 14 shots off the lead.
It was his highest ever first round score in a major championship.
U.S. Open champion Rory McIlroy damaged his wrist early on his his round but though he was in obvious pain, managed to finish on level par.
After his round he said he was going to hospital for an MRI scan to reveal the extent of the damage.
American Jerry Kelly was second, two shots behind Stricker after he made five birdies in a round of 65 while compatriot Shaun Micheel carded a round of four-under.
“I really didn’t know what to expect today and maybe that was a good thing,” world number five Stricker told reporters.
“I had no expectations, birdieing the first three and hitting it in there on the next two…it just kind of settled me down and got me going on the right foot.
“You have to take one day at a time here in every tournament. This is just a good start. One round under my belt, take tomorrow as it comes and go from there.”
Woods initially looked in good touch as he moved to three-under but then his day went horribly wrong on a bogey-dominated back nine.
“I’m not down,” Woods told a press conference. “I’m really angry right now. So there’s a lot of words I could use beyond that.
“I can just go out there and play and let it go and just play by feel and see the shot, hit the shot, feel it and I’m not at that point yet.
“My motor pattern is getting there, and I start fighting it, and I couldn’t get it back. Obviously it’s tough.”
Italian teenager Matteo Manassero carded a round of two-under, as did American Ryder Cup captain Davis Love III while world number one Luke Donald managed a round of even par.
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