2nd August, 2013
Tiger Woods, a six-time Bridgestone Firestone Invitational champion, opened with a 4-under 66 on Thursday and trailed leader Webb Simpson by just two shots in Akron, Ohio.
Woods has 11 top-10 finishes in his 13 starts at Firestone Country Club’s South Course, so he knows where to hit. Still, he needed caddie Joe LaCava’s counsel from time to time.
“I hit a lot of good shots. I had a really good feel for the distance, and Joey and I really read the wind right,” Woods said after his best opening round at the course since another 66 spurred him to a one-shot win over in 2005.
Simpson, playing his first competitive round at Firestone, shot 64, and said it all came down to trust.
“I knew it all through my caddie (Paul Tesori), who’s been here so many years,” said Simpson, the 2012 U.S. Open champion at the Olympic Club. “I just kind of had to listen to him.”
Henrik Stenson was in second at 65.
Defending champion Keegan Bradley, Ryan Moore and Chris Wood, another first-time entrant in the WGC event, matched Woods at 66.
While top-ranked Woods was in prime position, that wasn’t the case for Nos. 2 and 3.
Phil Mickelson, coming off a British Open win two weeks ago, struggled with his concentration and came in with a 72.
“Tonight I’ll get a little bit more rest and see if I can come out tomorrow a little bit more focused,” he said.
Rory McIlroy, who’ll defend his title at the PGA Championship at Oak Hill next week but is winless since Kiawah Island last year, shot 70.
“I just threw a few shots away around the greens,” he said.