Woods makes a solid start as Peterson leads in Quail Hollow

The big names were solid but nothing spectacular, since John Peterson took the first round advantage in the Wells Fargo Championship.

John Peterson eclipsed several big names to get a two-shot lead in the Wells Fargo Championship as Tiger Woods had a solid start.

Peterson loaded a six under par 65 at Quail Hollow, thanks in large part to two consecutive eagles on the seventh and eighth holes.

The American mixed those two eagles with three birdies and only one bogey to have a two shot advantage.

In a congested classification, Peter Malnati, Tyrrell Hatton, Johnson Wagner, Keith Mitchell and Kyle Stanley are all four low in a tie for the second.

Wow. @JohnPetersonFW has made consecutive eagles to take the lead by 2.

19 yards
103 yards

He just shot 65 in Quail Hollow! pic.twitter.com/IcJAQMLrEK

– PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) May 3, 2018

Rory McIlroy, who has six top-10 finishes in eight starts in Quail Hollow, made the best start of the big names.

The Northern Irishman opened with a 68 of three low to be tied for the seventh.

Woods made a mixed start in Charlotte, North Carolina, with a pair of 71 par.

The 14-time main champion is playing in the tournament for the first time since 2012 and managed three birdies to go with so many bogeys.

"As for the ball, I'm fine, I'm there," Woods said. "If I make a couple of putts, I'm two or three below the pair, which is fine."

What saved from @TigerWoods .

Wait for the second angle. #QuickHits pic.twitter.com/ujOBzqrzl4

– PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) May 3, 2018

Justin Thomas, back on the scene of his victory in the US PGA Championship 2017, fought to two more than 73.

World number 14 Jason Day fared much better, taking a 69 under two to be in a tie in the 17th.

Brian Harman, last year's winner at Eagle Point Golf Club, could only manage one more than 72.