A magical round of golf, soaked in sustained brilliance, saw Sergio Garcia snatch a three shot lead at the top the WGC Bridgestone Invitational. The Firestone Country Club was witness to a spectacular 9-under 61 from the Spaniard as he leapt into the halfway lead at 11-under 129. Rory McIlroy composed a neat 64 to get into contention for the weekend four shots behind Garcia.
Justin Rose is in the mix at 8-under after posting 65-67 in the first two rounds. Phil Mickelson (71-73) and Martin Kaymer (77-68) are languishing in the bottom third of the tournament, outside the top50. Tiger Woods endured a disappointing 1-over 71 to dampen his hopes for a strong week in Washington, ten off the pace.
But the day belonged to Garcia, who is heavy sentimental favourite everywhere he travels with his golf bag. One of the most talented golfers not to win a major title, despite contending time and again, has fans willing him to perform well week after week.
Almost like he was turning a switch on, Garcia took Firestone by storm without so much as a warning. The Spaniard had just a solitary birdie on his outward nine – a four at the second hole, after pitching his third just two feet past the pin. He made the turn in 34, nothing too spectacular on a par-70 course.
But after picking another shot at the 10th, Garcia went on a hot streak, making seven straight birdies from the 12th to storm into the lead at this third leg of four in the World Golf Championship series. The man who has 19 top-ten finishes in 64 majors without a title, has also never won a WGC title. He can set that right this week, if he can keep it together this weekend.
“I’ve been fortunate to have some good rounds but I think that was my lowest round in tournament play and also my lowest nine holes so it was very nice,” García said. “I did get a little bit lucky on the front nine, I hit bad tee shots on four, eight and nine and got good breaks and was able to save par and that kept my round going.”
Garcia sank brilliant birdie putts on the 17th – from 25 feet – and 18th – 20 feet out – to finish the back nine in 27 and tie the course record of 61. The record was set by Woods, in 2000 and matched again in his title run last year.
Report by Anand Datla
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