Late lapse costs Woods share of Sherwood lead

By Mark Lamport-Stokes

THOUSAND OAKS, California (Reuters) - Tiger Woods, back in action after a two-month break, was left seething after double-bogeying the final hole to surrender a share of the lead in the Target World Challenge first round on Thursday.

The world number one and tournament host had to settle for a three-under-par 69 after finding a water hazard with his approach into the 18th green before two-putting from 10 feet.

That left him in a four-way tie for second place, a stroke behind pacesetting American Jim Furyk who birdied two of the last six holes for a 68 at a breezy but sun-drenched Sherwood Country Club.

Swede Henrik Stenson had been tied for the lead with Woods at five under with three holes to play but bogeyed 16 and 17 to finish level with Woods, Masters champion Zach Johnson and South African Rory Sabbatini.

"As frustrating as it ended, it was a pretty good day overall," three-times champion Woods told a news conference after making his first competitive appearance since the Presidents Cup in late September.

"But how can you not be angry? I made six on the last hole and threw away a good round of golf. Basically I should have been seven under par today easily and I messed it up.

"It was my short game. I hit two terrible pitches on the two par-fives on the back nine. I've got a lot of work to do the next three days. I obviously have to clean up the round a little bit around the greens."

EIGHTH VICTORY