Woods Takes Lead, Downplays Ryder Cup

No one can accuse Tiger Woods of looking ahead to next week’s Ryder Cup.

Woods birdied the last two holes Thursday for a seven-under 65 to take a one-stroke lead over David Toms and Steve Lowery in the American Express Championship at Thomastown, Ireland, a tournament he said means more to him than winning that little exhibition next week at The Belfry.

Asked which was more important, Woods chose an individual title and the $1-million check over a team victory and a 14-inch gold chalice.

“Why? I can think of a million reasons,” Woods said.

Woods has never had much success in the Ryder Cup, going 3-6-1. Earlier this week, he complained that the team concept doesn’t allow him to prepare for the matches the way he would any other big tournament.

And he made it clear after his bogey-free 65 at Mount Juliet that his focus is squarely on winning his sixth tournament of the year, and a World Golf Championship event for the fourth consecutive season.

“This is a big event. These are the best players in the world,” he said.

“You’re playing stroke play on a great golf course. That’s pretty important. I’m not saying the Ryder is not important. It’s a completely different animal.

“You can play absolutely lousy and the team can win, or you can play absolutely great and win all five matches, and lose the Ryder Cup.”

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Solheim Cup captains Patty Sheehan (U.S.) and Dale Reid (Europe) announced the pairings for today’s opening four alternate-shot matches at Edina, Minn.

In the first match, Juli Inkster and Laura Diaz--the top two Americans on the LPGA Tour this season--figure to be favorites against Laura Davies and Paula Marti. In the second match, Beth Daniel and Wendy Ward play Iben Tinning and Raquel Carriedo.

In match No. 3, Kelly Robbins and Pat Hurst, go against Helen Alfredsson and Suzann Pettersen. Finally, Meg Mallon and Kelli Kuehne take on Carin Koch and Annika Sorenstam.

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K.J. Choi shot a course-record eight-under 63 in the Tampa Bay Classic at Palm Harbor, Fla., while 18-year-old Ty Tryon had a 73 in his first PGA Tour start since March.

Choi had a two-stroke lead over Australia’s Rod Pampling when the opening round was suspended because of lightning with 17 players left on the course.