Simpson takes lead at Bridgestone
AKRON, Ohio – So much for course knowledge.
Webb Simpson, playing his first competitive round at Firestone Country Club, shot a 6-under 64 on Thursday to take a one-stroke lead in the Bridgestone Invitational.
It all came down to trust.
“Well, I knew it all through my caddie (Paul Tesori), who’s been here so many years,” Simpson said. “I just kind of had to listen to him.”
Seven-time Bridgestone winner Tiger Woods did not have to rely so much on the man on his bag, Joe LaCava, while shooting a 66. Woods has 11 top-10 finishes in his 13 starts at the course, so he clearly knows where to go.
Henrik Stenson was alone in second with a 65. Defending champion Keegan Bradley, Ryan Moore and Chris Wood, another first-time entrant, matched Woods at 66.
Simpson had six birdies in an eight-hole span.
There was only one glitch.
“I wish I didn’t bogey the last hole,” he said after missing the green on the par 4 and failing to get up and down. “It’s one area I’ve got to get better at. When I’m between clubs, hitting more club and swinging easy is where I’ve been struggling.
“You know, there’s always something to work on.”
Simpson hasn’t won this season. He called his year “encouraging and frustrating.”
“I feel like I’ve let a couple of tournaments go that maybe I should have closed out,” he said.
Phil Mickelson, coming off his dramatic victory at the British Open two weeks ago, struggled with his concentration and came in with a 72.
Park stumbles down the stretch, opens with 69: Inbee Park began her pursuit of an unprecedented fourth straight major with a 3-under 69 on Thursday in the Women’s British Open.
For 10 holes, it looked as though Park would be tough to beat. After a ragged back nine, she was happy to break 70.
Park made five putts from 15 feet or longer in an amazing display with the putter. She made six birdies in 10 holes to get her name atop the leaderboard at St. Andrews. But the 25-year-old South Korean began missing fairways, and she took double bogey from a pot bunker in front of the 16th green.