BBC SPORT | Special Events | 2001 | USPGA | Waite takes surprise lead in Atlanta

The early European challenge was led by Niclas Fasth, who carded a 66, and Nick Faldo, Andrew Coltart and Thomas Bjorn, who were a shot further back.

But it was left to Waite, in one of the last groups on the course, to surprise the world's best players.

So many of the top stars suffered at the 18th hole - but Waite was not to be intimidated and he holed from 15 feet for a superb birdie to put some daylight between himself and the rest of the field.

Mickelson temporarily joined Waite at five-under-par, with his usual brand of stylish golf.

Duval and Woods
Duval out-shone Woods

However, the 30-year-old was foiled by the awkward final hole, as he missed the chance to hold an overnight advantage when his 15-foot putt fell shy of the hole and he had to settle for a 66.

Mickelson's wonderful form had earlier been epitomised on the 15th when he recorded one of the best par saves of the day, holing a long-range putt for a three - to the delight of a packed gallery.

Duval had continued his superb Major form, picking up three shots in his first three holes before joining the leaders with a well taken birdie on his 14th hole.

But Woods, playing in the same group as arch rival Duval, had a disastrous opening round, missing a simple putt on his final hole to end the day on three-over.

The world number one struggled with his putter, posting a pair of double bogeys along the way as he finished the day knowing he will struggle to make the half-way cut.

Nick Faldo
Faldo: Vintage display

With Woods toiling, Mickelson and Duval moved to four-under, alongside Sweden's Fasth, Stuart Appleby of Australia, Americans Brad Faxon, Dudley Hart, David Toms, Fred Funk and Korean Kyoung-Ju Cho.

Scotland's Coltart and six-time Major-winner Faldo were both a shot further back after morale-boosting rounds of 67.

Scotland's Colin Montgomerie began his championship well, firing a birdie on his opening hole - but he struggled with his putter and finished on one-over-par.

Another of Europe's brightest hopes, Sergio Garcia, had pars at the first seven holes before birdies at eight and nine took him to two-under at the turn.

And, despite appearing to struggle with his grip with his irons, he registered a 68, four shots off the pace.

Sergio Garcia
Garcia: Carded a 68

Crowd favourite Woods, playing with Duval and US Open champion Retief Goosen, began badly with a bogey on his first hole, the 10th.

Things went from bad to worse for the world number one when he carded a bogey at the 14th.

And his problems mounted further when he fired a double bogey at the 15th to go three over before finding his rhythm by hitting pars at the 16th and 17th.

Woods, attempting to become the first golfer since Walter Hagen to win the title for the third successive time, eventually had to settle for a round of 73.


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