England's Lee Westwood made a quiet start to the defence of his first tournament win on the US Tour after firing a two-under-par 70 in the first round of the Compaq Classic in New Orleans yesterday.

On a day of low scoring, Westwood found himself five shots behind a group of five who shared the lead after scorching round the English Turn course in 65s: Russ Cochran, Frank Lickliter, Chris Perry, Doug Martin, Blaine McCallister.