Tiger Woods has solid start at 2012 British Open; Adam Scott takes early lead

Tiger Woods got off to a strong start at the British Open on Thursday, shooting three-under 67 to get within three shots of the early leader, Adam Scott.

Woods had at least a share of the lead for much of the early going and made four front-nine birdies to shoot 30 going out. He started the back with five straight pars before making his first bogey on the par-4 15th on the way to a one-over 37.

Adam Scott had the round of the day so far. After starting par-par-bogey, he made birdie on eight of his next 13 holes. A birdie on the 18th would have given him 62 for day, which would have been the lowest round in major championship history. Instead he found trouble off the tee and made bogey, but he still held the clubhouse lead with a six-under 64.

That was still a record, however -- the lowest British Open round in the history of Royal Lytham and St. Annes.

"It's nice just to take advantage of the calm conditions today," Scott said. "It was surprising but very pleasing to go out and play some solid golf. It's what I haven't done in the first rounds of the majors this year."

Paul Lawrie, who won the Open in 1999 at Carnoustie, had six birdies and one bogey for a five-under 65, a score matched by Zach Johnson, who won the John Deere last week.

More on the Open: Live Blog | Scores | Round 1 Photos | Videos | More Photos

Photo: Adam Scott (David Cannon/R&A via Getty Images)