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August 7, 2010

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Watson hits stride as Woods struggles

Source: Agencies | August 7, 2010, Saturday | Print Edition

WITH Tiger Woods struggling, long-hitting American Bubba Watson stole the limelight from the game铆s biggest names by surging into a two-shot lead in Thursday铆s opening round at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in Akron, Ohio.

Competing in the elite World Golf Championships event for the first time, left-hander Watson birdied five of the last eight holes on a hot, humid afternoon to card a spectacular 6-under-par 64 at Firestone Country Club.

He ended his round in outrageous fashion, finding the left rough off the 18th tee before hitting a lob wedge over trees to 36 feet and coolly sinking a curling putt from just off the green for a birdie.

Woods, seeking a record eighth win at one of his favorite venues, struggled in every area of his game as he chalked up a 6-bogey 74, his worst score at Firestone in 45 rounds.

Masters champion Phil Mickelson, who could replace Woods as world No. 1 after this week, fired a 66 to lie two strokes off the pace with fellow American Kenny Perry, Australian Adam Scott and US Open winner Graeme McDowell of Britain.

Four more Americans 贸 Chad Campbell, Sean O铆Hair, Jeff Overton and Bo Van Pelt 贸 and double US Open champion Retief Goosen of South Africa opened with matching 67s.

Watson, who clinched his first PGA Tour title at the Travelers Championship in June, had never seen the tight, tree-lined Firestone layout before this week.

矛I knew it was going to be tough but I putted really well, hit good iron shots and made it look a little bit easy,? the 31-year-old told reporters after covering the back nine in 4-under 31 and totalling only 22 putts.

矛But we铆re not done yet. We铆ve still got three tough days of golf to go,?

Watson, whose main target this year was to make the US Ryder Cup team, felt he had benefited from his relaxed approach at Firestone.

矛If it铆s a win this week or whatever it takes to get into the Ryder Cup, that铆s my main goal,? he said. 矛I learned the golf course in a couple of days... so I铆m just free-wheeling it, just having fun.?

Little comfort

Woods, who had averaged a superb 67.75 in his previous 44 rounds at Firestone, took little comfort after finding only five fairways out of 14, struggling with his iron shots and totaling 32 putts.

矛Just because I like the golf course doesn铆t mean I铆m going to play well on it,? the 14-time major winner said. 矛You still have to execute, and I didn铆t do that today.

矛I铆ve just got to hopefully tomorrow get it to even par or under par for the tournament and then hopefully put together a good weekend and see where that puts me.?

Mickelson was delighted to recover from two bogeys in his first six holes after teeing off at the par-four 10th.

矛It was a good day in that I got off to a poor start... and then was able to turn it around and shoot 30 on my back nine to get in good position,? the left-hander said.

Mickelson would become world No. 1 for the first time with victory this week. He would also take over at the top by finishing in the top four at Firestone if Woods places outside the top 37 and Britain铆s Lee Westwood comes third or worse.
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