Fred Couples leads, Tiger Woods frustrated in Orlando

By Simon Evans

ORLANDO, Florida (Reuters) - American Fred Couples took the early lead at the Arnold Palmer Invitational on Thursday, firing a five-under 65 at the Bay Hill Club.

World number one Tiger Woods, chasing his ninth win in ten tournaments and a four-times winner here, ended his round on level-par 70 after two birdies and two bogeys.

Former Masters champion Couples, appointed U.S. captain for the 2009 Presidents Cup last month, produced six birdies but then dropped a shot at the difficult par 3 17th to lie a stroke ahead of compatriot Tom Lehman, who shot a 66.

Americans Ken Duke and Jim Furyk were on three-under in the clubhouse.

"That was a good round on a very, very tough course," said the 48-year-old Couples, the 1992 Masters champion.

"There have been a few years where I've played where I haven't had much fun playing because I can't keep any pace," he said.

Woods was frustrated by his performance which left him five shots off the clubhouse lead.

"I just did not hit my irons very well. I missed some greens that I don't normally miss. I missed one with a sand wedge, one with a pitching wedge -- mistakes I don't normally make," he said.

Woods pitched over the green before bogeying the 15th and also missed the green on the fifth with his sand wedge but managed to salvage par.

"I didn't feel comfortable with my irons. I didn't really struggle with distance control but I couldn't get the ball shaped to start on the right line.

World number two Phil Mickelson and last year's Arnold Palmer winner Vijay Singh were among the players teeing off later.

(Editing by Miles Evans)