World No.2 Tiger Woods fired a six-under par 66 to seize the clubhouse lead on Thursday during the first round of the World Golf Championship’s at the TPC Blue Monster course of Trump Doral in Florida.

Woods began off the 10th tee playing alongside England’s Luke Donald and World No.1 Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland and fired nine birdies against three bogeys in the tournament he has won six times.

“I like the venue,” Woods said on Wednesday. “This course has been good to me over the years.”

The 14-time major champion has not won a WGC event in his past 10 attempts but could snap that skid this week after a sizzling start.

Woods made back-to-back birdies at the par four 11th and par five 12th but then birdied the next two holes. He charged again with birdies at the 16th, 18th and the first two holes after the turn before taking another bogey at three.

Responding with a birdie at the par three fourth, Woods added birdies at the par four seventh and par five eighth then parred the par three ninth to stand atop the leaderboard.

Still on the course at six-under were Sweden’s Fredrik Jacobson and American Dustin Johnson while the best-placed Australians are Adam Scott, John Senden and Geoff Ogilvy at two-under in a tie for 22nd with a few holes to play.