Mahan leads, Appleby one back in Akron
BY Fred Norks | US PGA Tour | 2007 Bridgestone Invitational | Round One | 03 Aug 2007
25-year-old Hunter Mahan has taken the outright lead midway through day one of the $8 million WGC Bridgestone Invitational at the Firestone Country CLub in Akron, Ohio.
Mahan, who won the Travelers Championship just four weeks ago and finished equal 6th at the British Open, has turned around what was an ordinary start to 2007 with four consecutive top-8 finishes in the past month.
The former Oklahoma State University standout, attributes his recent turn around in success to increased self-belief, something that had plagued him for most of the first half of the season.
World number one, Tiger Woods, heads a pack of four players including veteran Mark Calcavecchia, Boo Weekley and Stuart Appleby, sitting one stroke behind Mahan at two under 68.
Woods, who has won here five times since it’s inception in 1999, was satisfied a solid start to his title defense.
“I hit the ball pretty good today and just hit a couple loose ones. Short game was decent today. Thought I had some pretty good touch on the greens.”
Australia’s Stuart Appleby, who began the day with back to back birdies, was upbeat about his performance today following a disappointing result at the British Open where he missed the cut.
“I think you’ve got to be the eternal optimist, the next round. You never tee off thinking another 5-over par or anything like that. I have generally been playing well. Hopefully I can keep it up for three rounds. Hopefully I can play the rest of the year like this because this was less stress and more enjoyable.”
“I’m just a bit more relaxed with my game, not as picky or critical in many parts, so I’m just trying to be a bit more relaxed and use my natural instinct, which I think my instincts are really good. It’s good. It’s almost a home game for me, too. I’ve got a big pressure on with a big B on my hat.” said Appleby referring to Bridgestone’s century-long legacy in the city of Akron.
Peter Lonard was next best of the Australians closing with a birdie to finish the day with an even par 70. John Senden was a stroke back with 71 and West Australian Nick O’Hern two over following a 72.
British Open champion Padraig Harrington, playing for the first time since his victory over Sergio Garcia at Carnoustie, also opened with a 72 to be placed well back on the midday leaderboard.
