Watson sets Firestone pace, Woods struggles to 74

AKRON, Ohio, (Reuters) – With Tiger Woods struggling,  long-hitting American Bubba Watson stole the limelight from the  game’s biggest names by surging into a two-shot lead in  yesterday’s opening round at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational.

Competing in the elite World Golf Championships (WGC) event  for the first time, left-hander Watson birdied five of the last  eight holes on a hot, humid afternoon to card a spectacular  six-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 favourite  venues, struggled in every area of his game as he chalked up a  six-bogey 74, his worst score at Firestone in 45 rounds.

Masters champion Phil Mickelson, who could replace Woods as  world number one after this week, fired a 66 to lie two strokes  off the pace with fellow American Kenny Perry, Australian Adam  Scott and U.S. Open winner Graeme McDowell of Britain.

Four more Americans — Chad Campbell, Sean O’Hair, Jeff  Overton and Bo Van Pelt — and double U.S. 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.