Watson records seven birdies, including four straight on holes 11 through 14, and one bogey in his opening round at Firestone Country Club.
View full sizeBubba Watson, pictured during the Bob Hope Classic in January, is the early leader at the World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational in Akron after a 6-under 64.AKRON, Ohio - Bubba Watson has the early lead in the first round of the World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone Country Club.
Watson finished his round moments ago at 6-under 64. He had seven birdies - including four straight on holes 11 through 14 - and one bogey. Kenny Perry also finished a few minutes ago and is in second place at 4-under 66.
Tiger Woods, the defending champ and seven-time winner here in Akron, tees off at 1:50 p.m.
Phil Mickelson is tied for third at 3-under through 17 holes. Mickelson got off to a rough start from the 10th tee, finishing the back nine at 1-over. He is four-under on the front side with birdies on Nos. 2, 3, 6 and 7.
Stow native Ben Curtis teed off at 12:40 p.m. and recorded back-to-back birdies on the Par 5, 526-yard second and Par 4, 442-yard third holes. He carded a bogey on the fourth hole and is tied for 12th at 1-under.