Danny Lee of New Zealand shot 5-under-par 65 to take a one-stroke lead over Jim Furyk and Graeme McDowell of Northern Ireland after the first round of the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone Country Club in Akron, Ohio.
The 25-year-old Lee, who captured the Greenbrier Classic in a playoff last month for his first PGA Tour victory, mixed two bogeys in with four birdies on the back nine after starting at No. 10, but then played the front in a bogey-free 32 with birdies on three of the first four holes.
“I’m feeling very confident right now,” said Lee, whose three pro victories include titles on the European Tour and what is now the Web.com Tour. “I feel like I can accomplish anything. I’ve played great golf the last three or four weeks, so I am very confident about my game.
“It might sound a little greedy, but I feel like (I left a few strokes out there).”
Furyk, whose 17 victories on the PGA Tour do not include any of the World Golf Championships, was tied for the lead until missing a nine-foot par putt on the last hole in his 66, while McDowell matched that score thanks to making four birdies in the first seven holes.
Rickie Fowler, the Players champion, made his only bogey in a 67 on the fourth hole and was tied for fourth with Justin Rose of England, who birdied four of the first six holes, made his lone bogey at No. 8 and finished with 10 straight pars.
Henrik Stenson of Sweden carded a bogey-free 68 and was tied for fourth with Webb Simpson, Lee Westwood of England, Victor Dubuisson of France, Robert Streb, Paul Casey of England, Koumei Oda of Japan and Ian Poulter of England.
Zach Johnson, coming off his victory in the Open Championship at St. Andrews, opened with a 70 and was in a tie for 22nd that included Jordan Spieth, the Masters and U.S. Open champion.
