Singh in the lead once again at 84 Lumber Classic

Vijay Singh shot an 8-under-par 64 on Thursday and held a three-shot lead in the first round of the 84 Lumber Classic at Farmington, Pa.

If Singh wins the $4.2 million tournament he can surpass Tiger Woods’ season money record of $9.1 million in 2000. With seven tournament victories, Singh is closing in on Woods’ best season of nine wins.

Singh had a bogey-free round that included an eagle and six birdies.

Richard S. Johnson, Pat Perez, Cameron Beckman, Ben Curtis and Robert Allenby all had 67s, while Kevin Na was three shots back through No. 15 when play on the 7,471-yard Mystic Rock course was stopped by darkness with 36 players still on the course.

They will finish this morning.

LPGA Tour

Christina Kim shot a 7-under 64 and held a one-stroke lead over Rachel Teske after the first round of the LPGA Longs Drugs Challenge at Auburn, Calif.

Kim didn’t have a bogey on an almost windless day at The Ridge Golf Club, a 6,235-yard layout that is a new venue for the 9-year-old tournament.

Teske, an eight-time winner on the LPGA Tour, had four birdies and an eagle in her second nine and is one stroke ahead of Juli Inkster, a two-time winner of this tournament, Beth Bauer, Miriam Nagl and Michelle Estill.

Rathdrum, Idaho’s Tracy Hanson is four shots back after a first-round 68. Wendy Ward of Edwall, Wash., is tied for 33rd after shooting a 1-under 70.

Mickelson pulls out of World Golf Championship

Masters champion Phil Mickelson withdrew from next week’s American Express Championship in Ireland for personal reasons, the PGA Tour said.

Mickelson, No. 4 in the world ranking, is the third player in the top 50 to pull out of the $7 million World Golf Championship event. Kenny Perry (No. 16) and Nick Price (No. 35) also withdrew.