With everything going right, Lee Westwood is in front at Players Championship; Woods is 9 back

Westwood takes early Sawgrass lead; Tiger 9 back

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. — Lee Westwood of England is in the lead among the early starters at The Players Championship with a round of 7-under 65 on another gentle day at the TPC Sawgrass.

Westwood moved up the leaderboard, as did so many others on another good day for scoring. The only difference is he stayed there. He is at 12-under 132 heading into the weekend.

Ryuji Imada of Japan had a 66 and Francesco Molinari of Italy had a 65. They were one shot behind.

Tiger Woods will be joining them on the weekend. He overcame a few bad drives for a 71 that put him nine shots behind.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Lee Westwood of England is in the lead among the early starters at The Players Championship with a round of 7-under 65 on another gentle day at the TPC Sawgrass.

Westwood moved up the leaderboard, as did so many others on another good day for scoring. The only difference is he stayed there. He is at 12-under 132 heading into the weekend.

Ryuji Imada of Japan had a 66 and Francesco Molinari of Italy had a 65. They were one shot behind.

Tiger Woods will be joining them on the weekend. He overcame a few bad drives for a 71 that put him eight shots behind.

(This version CORRECTS APNewsNow. SUBS last graf to correct that Woods is 9 shots behind; will be UPDATED.)