MARC WARREN took comfort in posting a one-over-par 71 to be just four strokes from the clubhouse lead on the opening day of his maiden WGC-Bridgestone Invitational appearance in Akron, Ohio.
Warren recorded four birdies but also three bogeys along with a sixth-hole double bogey on the Firestone course, when his tee shot landed in thick rough, to be well in sight of Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open champion Rickie Fowler.
Fowler shot a three-under-par 67 less than a week after his second-place finish in the Quicken Loans Open and also after two weeks competing in Scotland where he capped his visit with success at Gullane.
“Of course, it’s only a couple of months ago I won the Players but then to win the Scottish Open was great and this is a continuation of my good form,” said the American.
“While I was a little off the pace at St. Andrews, winning the Scottish Open was still with me last week in going so close in the Quicken Loans.”
Warren teed-up after only having played a nine-hole practice round from the ninth near lunch on Wednesday before then walking the front nine later in the day.
Gleneagles 2014 Ryder Cup winner Victor Dubuisson was well-placed at two under par and with his team-mate and mentor that week Graeme McDowell the on-course leader at four under par nearing the turn.
Sergio Garcia, also a member of the last winning Ryder Cup team, fought back from a nine in his round to shoot a one-over-par 69.
Warren, Scotland’s leading world-ranked player at 49th, birdied his second, eighth, 13th and 16th holes, with his only real hiccup at the sixth.
“Considering I only managed to squeeze in nine holes of practice, I am very pleased with a 71,” said Warren.
“There was lot of good stuff out there and overall I drove the ball really well plus I holed a lot of good putts.
“My chipping could have been a bit better and while I would have liked to have been a little lower one over is an okay start.
“But then in saying that the course is a tough test given how firm the greens are so overall very pleased and it’s very much a continuation of some good form of late.
“I really didn’t give much away out there today so no complaints.”
In contrast, Stephen Gallacher got his round off to a poor start with a double bogey and despite a birdie at 11 the Bathgate pro was struggling to be seven over after nine holes and in second last place in the $US 9.25m.
Bizarrely, American Troy Merritt and winner of last week’s Quicken Loans Open, is last after carding a 12-over par 82.
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