Watney led after carding an eagle and nine birdies on day one in Florida, but a bogey on the eighth and double bogey on the 14th gave him an 8-under 64, leaving Norman's 1994 in the history books.
Lucas Glover, last week's winner on tour at Quail Hollow, was one shot back thanks to a 7-under 65 while veteran Mark O'Meara turned back the clock with a vintage 6-under 66 to be third with David Toms.
Robert Allenby, second in this event last year, and Jason Day, coming off his runner-up finish at the Masters, were the best of the Australians after posting solid 3-under 69s to be tied for 13th.
Allenby flew out of the gate by birdying his first two holes and notched up a further two later in his round.
His only blemish was a three-putt bogey on the 15th hole, more the result of an errant drive to the left rough than his prowess, or lack thereof, with the flat stick.
His day could have been a lot better if not for differing green conditions with the Australian a little surprised they had not been cut recently.
"I played well today and overall it was really solid," Allenby said.
"I putted really well also and hit three or four putts that should've gone in but the greens are a little bit grainier this year, which is a little different to previous years.
"But I think it's a good start, the course is only going to get tougher as the week goes along."
Day closed out his round with back-to-back birdies and was "very happy with the momentum swing" going into the second round.
Aaron Baddeley was the next best Australian with a 2-under 70, followed by Matt Jones (72), Greg Chalmers (73) and Geoff Ogilvy (75).
Adam Scott, the 2004 champion, failed to replicate his Masters form with a 4-over 76, the same score posted by Stuart Appleby, Nick O'Hern, John Senden and Michael Sim.
Marc Leishman had a horror day and is anchored in last place after a 9-over 81.
Watney's brilliant round was overshadowed by the withdrawal of Tiger Woods, who hobbled off the course after just nine holes, re-injuring his left knee and Achilles tendon.
Woods was running dead last and 6-over-par when he withdrew after three bogeys and a triple-bogey and is now in huge doubt for the US Open starting in five weeks.
-AAP
Tags: sport, golf, united-states
No comments:
Post a Comment