Nick Watney surges to the top, leads 2012 World Golf Challenge by two strokes
Nick Watney shot a bogey free round on Thursday to lead the 18-man strong field at the 2012 World Golf Challenge after round one. Watney, who has been in decent form lately, currently leads the tournament by two strokes.
Nick shot five-under, 67 at the Sherwood Golf and Country Club. Following him is the trio of Graeme McDowell, Jim Furyk, and Keegan Bradley.
World number sixteen was slow to get off at Sherwood Golf Club, as he could not post a birdie on the first eight holes. His first birdie of the day came at the par-4 9th hole.
Although he could not score a birdie on first eight holes, he however remained calm, composed and never really panicked.
Watney’s calmness paid off in the end, as he shifted gears on the back nine by carding four birdies on six holes.
Keegan Bradley, McDowell and Furyk carded three-under for the day.
Shooting three-under was an impressive performance, considering the fact that USGA has announced that belly putters will be outlawed by 2016.
"I've been catching such flak on Twitter and these other places, it would be good to kind of quiet them a little bit," Bradley said. "I had a guy yesterday telling me to send my application in to Burger King for 2016."
Defending champion, Tiger Woods could not shoot in 60s on Thursday, as he could only come up with a two-under, 70. It is a slow start for Tiger but he will surely improve as the tournament progresses.
Woods said, "I didn't hit the ball very good today and made a few good par putts to keep the round going".
Nick Watney needs to play a similar sort of round tomorrow if he wants to remain in the lead. Tiger Woods will definitely gear up over the next few rounds. He hosts this event, so surely, he would want to do well.
"I figured since Tiger is nice enough to invite me, I might as well prepare and try to play well," Watney said of the World Challenge.
"I'm very pleased to be at five under," Watney said. "I'm definitely happy to be on top".
Tags: