Firestone took a big bite out of most of the field Friday at the WGC Bridgestone.
Jason Day appeared to escape unscathed as he took a two-shot lead into the 18th hole and parked his approach just off the fringe, only 16 feet from the hole. He blew his putter nearly four feet by then missed, getting bitten late.
Still, Day managed to shoot a one-under par 69 thanks to birdies at the 16th and 17th and he’s four-under at the halfway point at Firestone.
Winds came up and the course played firm and fast and bogeys ensued. First round leader Will McGirt, who worked his way to seven-under par after eight holes, played the last 12 five-over and followed his 64 with 74.
David Lingmerth had the round of the day, a three-under par 67 that left him in the house a shot behind Day. McGirt was at two-under along with Emiliano Grillo (71) and Scott Piercy. Piercy with a pair of 69s is the only man besides Day who is under par for both trips around Firestone. “I’m a little frustrated,” said Piercy, who finished tied for second at the U.S. Open. “I haven’t rolled the putter out there this week. You have to drive it well out there. Hopefully I keep hitting it well and make a few putts.”
Jordan Spieth had his share of problems. He had difficulty finding fairways and greens and wound up with a 71 that left him at one-under par with Adam Scott and two others.
2 Comments
beege
Hi Tom,
Firestone is the site of my very first PGA Tour event in person–the 1967 american golf classic won by the King. I followed him so close my parents thought he was going to hit me in his backswing. A layout that could host a US Open and has hosted several pga’s. the signature 16th is fun, in the old days no one maybe except jack and george bayer took at shot at it in 2. I always liked the 2nd hole alot—a real chance for eagle to get your round going fast and you need it with all the tough par four’s around the venerable firestone south–my memory serves it played around 6900-7000 in 1967.
Tom Edrington
Bob, it is indeed a classic course that has withstood the test of time…..obviously giving the boys fits….Tiger Woods won nearly 10% of his victories at this site….horses for courses….it is a big-boy golf course to this very day! And yes, we all followed Arnie at some point when we were young, my first tour event was the 1968 GGO and of course, we followed Palmer, huge galleries, back then, people would go nuts over Palmer, in fact, I clearly remember we’re watching him hit a shot from the left rough, took a huge swing and at impact, some woman screamed “beautiful!!!!!’ and the shot was a viciously hook into the trees, even Arnie looked back after the swing and looked a bit miffed as if he were thinking: “Beautiful? Are you freaking blind???”