Golf:Adam Scott's eight under par, 62 gave him a one shot lead over fellow Australian Jason Day and put him three clear of American Nick Watney on a day when Rory McIlroy (68) alone of the Irish quartet managed red figures in the first round of the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone.
Padraig Harrington hit just six fairways and seven greens en route to a one over the card 71, a mark on which he was joined by Graeme McDowell, who reached three under at one stage for his round before his challenge de-railed a little on front nine; he started on the 10th.
Darren Clarke holed out for an eagle from 184 yards but that was the silver lining as the British Open champion, playing alongside Tiger Woods, slumped to a seven over, 77. Therre is not cut so he will play all four rounds.
Woods, playing his first full round for four months, managed a 68 and professed himself happy. “It felt good. I hit the ball really flush. It’s been a while since I’ve been in this environment. I’m hitting some proper shots again, so that’s good.”
He is doing so without his long time caddie Steve Williams from whom he split recently but after yesterday it was the New Zealander who probably possessed the broader smile as he’s now on the bag of tournament leader, Scott. Woods, a seven time winner of the this tournament continued: “The hardest was controlling my distances.” There’s one in particular he’ll be looking to close today.
