Stricker sets early pace

Steve Stricker’s superb recent form continued today as he made an excellent start to the Bridgestone Invitational.

The world number four, who last month set a PGA Tour record for 54 holes on his way to winning the John Deere Classic, topped the leaderboard at Firestone Country Club in Akron, Ohio, on three under after six holes.

Starting on the back nine, the 43-year-old American birdied the 10th, 12th and 15th to lead by one shot from a quartet of players including Chad Campbell and European duo Sergio Garcia and Francesco Molinari.

Campbell picked up shots at the 11th and 17th to reach two under after 10, while Garcia and Molinari were both two under after eight on the front nine.

American Bubba Watson was also two under, one shot clear of a group containing Molinari’s older brother Edoardo, Ernie Els, Robert Karlsson and Kenny Perry.

Phil Mickelson made a bad start to his latest bid to depose Tiger Woods as world number one by bogeying the final two of his opening six holes on the back nine.

Mickelson and world number three Lee Westwood both have the chance to overtake Woods in the rankings this weekend at the World Golf Championship event.

Woods, who has led the way for 270 weeks, has yet to win a tournament since returning from his self-imposed exile from golf following revelations about his private life.

But he has proven virtually unbeatable at Firestone, winning seven of the last 10 Bridgestone Invitationals he has played, including last year’s tournament.

Woods was due to tee off alongside Westwood today at just before 7pm Irish time.