Chevron World Challenge 2011: K.J. Choi In Lead, Tiger Woods Tied For Second After First Round

K.J. Choi fired a six-under 66 in windy conditions Thursday to take the first-round lead at the Chevron World Challenge.

Tournament host Tiger Woods gutted out a three-under 69 and shares second place with his playing partner on Thursday, Steve Stricker, at Sherwood Country Club.

Wind gusts were expected close to 50 mph on Thursday. They never got that high, but when the last group teed off, wind was a substantial factor.

For example, Stricker lined up a 30-foot birdie putt on the final hole to get a share of second place. He stepped off when the wind carried a candy wrapper into his site line.

Stricker made the putt to join Woods in second.

Woods almost missed his own event. He was 49th in the world rankings when the qualification period ended, so he got in and didn’t have to use an exemption on himself and possibly cost the tournament its world-ranking points.

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