WEIRD DROP

"It was a weird drop," said Woods. "I was as surprised as anybody. Usually TV cables are movable but they deemed it immovable. I've never seen that ruling before."

David Rickman, director of rules for organisers the Royal & Ancient, refuted the suggestion officials were "scared" of Woods.

"I've not met any rules official who is scared of any player," said Rickman. "My understanding of it was the cables were not movable hence he (the rules official) was correct in his ruling."

McGinley, after spending months in the doldrums, found the key to an improved swing with an hour or so to go before teeing off.

"I found the swing key on the practice ground this morning, there's no doubt about that," said the 40-year-old Ryder Cup player.

"Something that I worked on before in my swing sort of clicked into place and I was able to go with it and get a great start."

Among the other highlights on Thursday was Briton Lee Westwood (71) holing his second shot for an eagle two at the 472-yard 15th.

Former champion John Daly enjoyed a brief spell at the top of the leaderboard when he pitched in for an eagle two at the 11th. But the American's form completely deserted him over the closing holes as he finished with a 74.

Fellow countryman Todd Hamilton, who won this championship in 2004, went round in 81 while three-time winner Nick Faldo had a 79.

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