Tiger Woods eagled the last to grab a share of the lead as Rory McIlroy remained in touch despite failing to build on a lightning start to the Tour Championship in Atlanta.

Seeking his first win for five years, Woods (42) unleashed his trademark fist-pump as he made 28-footer for a five-under 65 to join Rickie Fowler at the top, one clear of Gary Woodland and world number one Justin Rose.

With FedExCup leader Bryson DeChambeau tied for 21st despite playing the back nine in 32 for a one-over 71, Rose's share of third sees him projected to deny the American the $10 million FedExCup bonus.

Birdies from 25 feet at the fifth and 15 feet at the sixth, turned Woods' day around and he went on to follow further birdies at the 12th and 14th with a huge fist pump as a slick 28 footer dropped for eagle at the 18th.

"I made two good putts there at five and six and then basically turned the whole round around," said the 14-time, who three-putted for an opening bogey. "I know how to play this golf course and know the angles, but I've never seen the greens this quick."

McIlroy raced out of the blocks, rapping in birdies the second, third, fourth and sixth to lead on four-under-par.

But while he bogeyed the eighth and followed a birdie at the 10th with a three-putt double bogey at the 12th he never stopped trying.

After following a brilliant birdie at the 14th with another bogey at the 17th, he got up and down from sand at the 18th, he was still upbeat after a three-under 67 left him tied for fifth with Tony Finau and Justin Thomas, just two shots off the pace.

“I drove the ball great and put the ball in play, which you need to this week with this Bermuda rough,” said McIlroy, who was pleased to see his trademark draw returning to his arsenal of weapons with the Ryder Cup looming. 

"And I hit a lot of good iron shots and wedges, which is the stuff I've been working on with my coach Michael Bannon.  

"I feel like 67 is the worst I could have shot today, which obviously bodes well for the rest of the week."