If you were expecting a marquee name in the lead at WGC Bridgestone Invitational, you were in for a surprise. Marc Leishman shot a 64 to take a one stroke lead over three men who finished five under in the first round. Tiger Woods began with a 68 to keep his title defence at the Firestone Country Club firmly on the track. McIlroy was also two under midway through the first, but was forced to settle for a 69.
The last time Leishman held a lead in the first round was at the Masters last year, where he eventually finished T4. It was Ryan Moore and Charl Schwartzel who set the pace in the morning scoring efficient 65s to jump into the lead.
But Leishman, starting among the last few groups of the first session worked his way up the chart with a steady round of golf. The Aussie carded eight birdies and two bogeys as he took charge at the front.
Justin Rose threatened to run away into the lead before settling for 65 to tie with Moore and Schwartzel. “It was a really good mix of some good iron play and then some good scrambling when I missed,” informed Rose.
Tiger got off to a bogey – needing three putts to complete the first. The eight time champion steadied himself with a birdie at the second setting the tone for a positive round of golf. There was also to be a double bogey at the ninth, but Woods made birdies at 10 and 16 to ensure there was no significant damage.
“I hit a lot of good shots today,” said Woods. “I hit a few not so solid but I kind of got it around a little bit. Every time I dropped a shot I got it right back at the very next hole so bouncing back like that was nice.”
“It takes time when you’re off for an extended period of time and coming off surgery,” added Woods. “It takes time, it’s been building and today was certainly a lot better.”
McIlroy was setback by a double bogey at the eighth – he found a green side bunker with his approach, from where it took four more shots to get done. Eventually it took a fine birdie on his final hole to get under par for the first round.
Report by Anand Datla
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