Early start suits Goosen down to the ground at Firestone

Published on 31/07/2008 23:58

RETIEF Goosen was the early clubhouse leader at Firestone Country Club as the £4million WGC-Bridgestone Invitational got under way in Akron, Ohio.

The South African, in the second group of the day to tee off at the 7,400-yard, par-70 South Course, posted a five-birdie opening round of 66, only spoiled by one bogey.

Vijay Singh had a chance to join Goosen in the clubhouse on five under, but he undid a bogey-free round that left him five under after 17 holes when he double-bogeyed the 18th to finish at three under with an opening 67. Also in the clubhouse on three-under were Goosen's compatriot Tim Clark and Sweden's Daniel Chopra while another Swede, Freddie Jacobson, and American Sean O'Hair were also on three under out on the course, Jacobson having birdied his opening three holes.

Open champion Padraig Harrington recovered from a shaky start on his return to action following his Royal Birkdale triumph. The Irishman, who successfully defended his Open title with a four-shot victory over Ian Poulter 11 days ago, had been hoping to shake off a little staleness after a week of celebrations at home in Ireland.

Instead, after a solid opening four holes from the 10th tee, he carded a double bogey six at the 467-yard 14th hole to go two over par. Harrington grabbed those shots back with successive birdies at the 16th and 17th holes only to bogey the 18th to turn for home in a one-over-par 36.

The rollercoaster continued with an inward nine featuring two bogeys and four birdies for a one-under-par round of 69.

Royal Birkdale runner-up Ian Poulter also returned to action following the best major finish of his career to continue his bid for an automatic Ryder Cup team place.

A bogey at the ninth, his final hole of the day, left him with an even-par 70.

Poulter, though, was sticking to his new-found mantra that tournaments are never won until the back nine holes on a Sunday.

Colin Montgomerie was among those struggling to find form. Starting at the 10th tee, the Scot recorded consecutive bogeys at 11, 12 and 13 to go out in three-over-par 38 before a birdie at the 399-yard, par-four first clawed a shot back.

Monty sunk another birdie at the par-four eighth hole, his 17th, only to bogey the ninth and finish with a two-over 70.