LYTHAM ST. ANNES, England — The start produced some classic major championship sizzle, but the finish to Tiger Woods’ Open Championship first round at Royal Lytham today fizzled.

Woods stormed to 4-under par through the first seven holes, but never kept the birdie train moving forward, finishing with a 3-under-par 67 — a number he insisted afterward he was pleased about.

“It was a good start,’’ Woods said. “I got off to a quick start and I hit the ball well all day. I was just lacking a little bit of pace on the greens coming home. Every putt I hit was on line, except for the one I hit on 12. I needed to hit the putts a little bit firmer.’’

BRITISH OPEN LEADERBOARD