Watney produces Shanghai surprise, steady Woods three back

By Nick Mulvenney

SHANGHAI (Reuters) - Nick Watney fired an eight-under-par 64 to race into a two-shot lead after the opening round of the WGC-HSBC Champions on Thursday, the American just missing out on the course record with a bogey at his final hole.

German Martin Kaymer, Ireland's Shane Lowry and American Ryan Moore share second after matching 66s, while world number one Tiger Woods was a stroke further adrift in a tie for fifth after a solid 67.

While most eyes were on Woods and world number two Phil Mickelson, it was their lesser known 28-year-old compatriot Watney who dominated the leaderboard for most of a balmy day at the $7 million tournament.

The Californian had already picked up two shots when he sank a 30-foot putt for an eagle three at his fifth hole and he blitzed five more birdies to stand well clear at nine-under with five holes to play.

He parred the next four holes, but a wild first putt on his final green left him too much to do to save par and prevented him from bettering a course record shared by Woods and seven others.

"I played very well... it was just one of those days when everything was feeling really good," Watney, who won the Buick Invitational for his second U.S. PGA Tour title earlier this year, told reporters.

"I'm in a really great position but at the same time, there's a really long way to go. It's always good to beat Tiger and hopefully I can keep a little cushion between us."