Scott sets pace with 64, Woods lurks ominously

By Ed Osmond

LYTHAM ST ANNES, England (Reuters) - Australian Adam Scott set the pace with a course record-equaling 64 while a steely-looking Tiger Woods rattled off four early birdies in a composed first-round 67 at the British Open on Thursday.

The 32-year-old Scott, world number 13, conjured up eight birdies in benign conditions at Lytham to finish on six under par, one ahead of Scotland's Paul Lawrie and American Zach Johnson.

Former world number one Woods played beautifully controlled golf to birdie the first, fourth, sixth and seventh holes, getting his bid for a 15th major championship, and first for four years, off to a flawless start.

The American wasted further birdie opportunities before twice finding treacherous rough at the 15th hole and dropping his only shot of the day.

Scott made a steady start to his round but he found inspiration around the turn with five birdies in eight holes.

Three more in a row from the 14th put him in sight of a major championship record-tying 63 but he found the rough at the last and dropped a shot.

"The calm conditions today were surprising," he told reporters.

"It was very pleasing to start off with a solid round because that's what I haven't done at the other majors this year. The goal today was to play it like a Sunday - and there was no tomorrow."