One of the greatest records in golf history will end on Friday unless Tiger Woods can hit form.

Woods lies joint 104th after his dismal opening 75 in the United States PGA Championship and unless he climbs into the top 70 his run of 128 events without missing a cut on the US Tour will be over. He probably needs a 71.

Failure to do so would open the door to both Ernie Els and Vijay Singh to end his record-equalling five-year reign as world number one.

Woods blamed "atrocious" putting for his start to the final major of the season and, on a day of low scoring led by Darren Clarke with a 65, it needs a miracle now for him to capture his first major since the US Open two years ago.

Even if he survives the cut.

Els, joint second a stroke behind Clarke, could go top of the rankings either by winning or finishing runner-up.

Singh, joint fourth after his 67, has to win and Woods has to crash out at halfway.

The last player to take the number one position off Woods was David Duval, but he is now outside the leading 500 and quit the sport for seven months until the US Open in June.

In his third event back Duval was going well at one under after 10 holes on Thursday, but on the two par-fives on the front nine he took seven and eight and finished with a 77.