Watson cards seven birdies and one bogey. Mickelson was once 2-over par.
Phil Mickelson hitting today from the 10th fairway at Firestone.Akron, Ohio -- Bubba Watson, finishing with a 6-uner par 64, holds a two-stroke lead over Kenny Perry during first-round play at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational.
Perry shot a 66 on the famed South Course at Firestone Country. Watson birdied the 11th, 12th, 13th and 14th holes before bogeying No. 15, but closed with another birdie at No. 18.
Masters champion Phil Mickelson, with a chance this week to surpass Tiger Woods as the world's No. 1-ranked golfer, has rallied to 3-under par through 16 holes. Lefty began his round on the back nine, and was 2-over par after bogeys on Nos. 14 and 15. He bounced back swith a birdie on the 667-yard, par-5 16th hole, and carded birdies on Nos. 2, 3, 6 and 7.
Chad Campbell finished with a 3-under 67 on the par 70 course. Also at 3-under is Sean O'Hair, after 15 holes. At 2-under par are Gregory Bourdy of France, who has finished his round with a 68; Ireland's Rory McIlroy and Steve Stricker (through 16 holes); Japan's Yuta Ikeda (four holes) and local favorite Ben Curtis of Kent State (three holes).
British Open champion Louis Oosthuizen of South Africa is 1-over par after 15 holes. Woods will tee off at 1:50 p.m., and U.S. Open cahmpion Graeme McDowell of Ireland will begin play 10 minutes later.