The WGC-Bridgestone Invitational continues on Friday and Australian Adam Scott is the new favourite to leave Firestone Country Club with the winner’s prize.
On a day where former long-time world number one Tiger Woods made his long-awaited return from injury, it was Scott who stole the headlines with a bogey-free eight-under-par round to take a one-shot lead. Scott, who is now caddied by Steve Williams following his sacking by Woods, is now the 9/2 favourite with
SkyBet to take the title.
Fellow Australian Jason Day completed his opening round in 63 to sit alone in second place, and the 23-year-old can now be backed at 6/1 (SkyBet) to win in Akron, Ohio. Nick Watney is two shots further back on five-under and is now 10/1 (
totesport).
Much of the pre-tournament hype surrounded the comeback of Tiger Woods. And the 35-year-old fared well on the opening day with a two-under-par round that put him seven shots behind leader Scott, and he is now 12/1 (
Betfred) to make a spectacular return by winning this tournament.
Woods is in good company in two-under, with the American joined by world number one Luke Donald, US Open champion Rory McIlroy and Spanish favourite Sergio Garcia. Both Donald and McIlroy have struggled for form in recent weeks and they are 25/1 (
bet365) and 18/1 (
SportingBet) respectively to get back to winning ways here, while Garcia can now be backed at 50/1 (
totesport).
Of the other notable names taking part at Firestone, Martin Kaymer can be backed at 50/1 (bet365), Phil Mickelson 20/1, Stewart Cink 40/1 (
Paddy Power), Rickie Fowler 40/1 (bet365) and Rory Sabbatini 50/1 (Skybet).
