Akron, Ohio ? Three days after the major championship season ended, Tiger Woods and Vijay Singh played like they still have plenty to prove Thursday by taking a share of the lead in the NEC Invitational.

Woods twice escaped trouble from the trees, but never came close to making bogey on a Firestone course that offered no letup for those coming off the PGA Championship. He made a 15-foot birdie on his final hole for a 4-under 66 and later was joined by Singh and Henrik Stenson of Sweden.

Singh had a chance to take the outright lead until missing a six-foot birdie putt on his 17th hole. He had to scramble from the rough to save par on the 484-yard ninth hole for a share of the lead.

Davis Love III carried his good play from Baltusrol into the first round and was among those at 67, while PGA champion Phil Mickelson shot 69.

Fiji's Vijay Singh watches his tee shot on the 11th hole at the NEC Invitational. Singh, Tiger Woods and Henrik Stenson were tied at 4-under-par 66 after the first round Thursday at Firestone Country Club in Akron, Ohio.

“I didn’t hit it great today, but I left myself with some easier up-and-downs when I did miss, so it wasn’t so bad,” said Woods, who never has finished lower than fifth in seven appearances at Firestone.

Woods and Singh were the only players to finish in the top 10 at all four majors this year, with Woods winning the Masters and British Open.

But there is still plenty at stake.

Singh has won the PGA Tour money title the last two years, and he trails Woods by about $185,000 with two months left in the season. And while Singh’s four victories don’t carry the weight as Woods’ two majors, the 42-year-old Fijian is hopeful of another big run at the end of the year to warrant consideration for player of the year.

Masters runner-up Chris DiMarco wound up at 67 with Nick Dougherty of England.