Tiger Woods holds one-shot lead with nine holes left in Thousand Oaks

Tiger Woods stabilized his game after a rough start and maintained a one-shot lead over Graeme McDowell after nine holes Sunday in the final round of the Chevron World Challenge in Thousand Oaks.

A light rain began falling as the players moved to the 10th tee at the Sherwood Country Club course nestled against the Santa Monica Mountains west of Los Angeles.

Woods, attempting to win his first tournament since the scandal surrounding his extramarital affairs erupted a year ago, started the round with a four-shot lead at 17 under par but made bogeys on two of the first three holes.

But Woods, wearing his traditional red shirt for the final round of play, also made birdies on the two par-five holes to go out in an even-par 36.

McDowell, the U.S. Open champion who was playing with Woods, got off to a fast start with birdies at the Nos. 2, 4 and 5 holes to reach 16 under after nine holes.

Paul Casey was the next closest pursuer but trailed Woods by six shots at 11 under par.

-- Jim Peltz

Photo: Tiger Woods hits his tee shot on the sixth hole Sunday during the final round of the Chevron World Challenge at Sherwood Country Club in Thousand Oaks. Credit: Stephen Dunn / Getty Images