AKRON, Ohio (AP) – Tiger Woods began his title defense in the Bridgestone Invitational with a perfect tee shot down the middle of the fairway and a shot that covered the flag until it settled 10 feet behind the hole. Three putts later, he walked off with a bogey.
Another day of trying to find his game? Not quite.
He followed with six birdies to atone for a few more mistakes, and wound up with a 2-under 68 that at least gave him hope that his game was turning the corner.
Marc Leishman had eight birdies in his round of 64 to take a one-shot lead after one day at Firestone, and more than one-third of the field in this World Golf Championship broke par in soft, relatively gentle conditions.
Even so, Woods remained the focus.