Shanghai, November 5: American Nick Watney upstaged the stars at the WGC-HSBC Champions with a course-record equalling eight-under-par 64 on Thursday but world number one Tiger Woods was lurking three shots back.
NICK WATNEY Picture © Getty Images
Watney, a two-time winner on the US PGA Tour, was in superb form at Sheshan International Golf Club where he reeled in one eagle and seven birdies but a late bogey on his last hole spoilt his card.
German’s Martin Kaymer, back recently from injury, Irishman Shane Lowry and American Ryan Moore shot 66s to lie two back in the star-studded US$7 million tournament, which is Asia’s first ever WGC event.
Woods carded a 67 for a share of fifth place with amongst others, Chinese Taipei’s Lin Wen-tang who ended the day as Asia’s top finisher. India’s Jyoti Randhawa was a further shot back with a 68 to ensure a strong Asian Tour presence on the leaderboard.
Coming off his best season where he finished 12th on the FedEx Cup rankings, the 28-year-old Watney was delighted with his round which included four straight birdies after the turn. He also holed a 30-foot putt for eagle on the 14th hole after the starting the day from the 10th tee.
“That's why I came, to try to win the event. I'm playing well. I did some good work with Butch (Harmon) when I was home on both ball striking and putting, and today I was in good form. So hopefully it will continue,” said Watney, who won the Buick Invitational and finished second in the WGC-CA Championship earlier this year.
“The greens are so good that if you hit a putt on line, it's definitely going to go in. So I was putting very well, just tried to give myself as many chances as possible, and I was able to make a few.”
He knows it is too early to be worried about Woods, whose record in WGC events is impeccable with 16 wins from 30 tournaments over the past decade. “If it was Saturday night, I don't know how well I'd be sleeping. But just for Friday, I'm in a great position, but at the same time, there's a really long way to go. It's always good to beat Tiger, and hopefully I can keep a little cushion between us,” said Watney.
Woods, chasing a first HSBC title after finishing second in 2005 and 2006, put himself in prime spot to launch another title charge for a seventh win of the year with six birdies against a bogey.
“Well, I got it around today. It wasn't my best ball striking round for sure but I made some putts which was nice, and just managed my game well,” said the 14-time Major champion.
“I was a bit frustrated today because I kind of had a two-way miss going today a little bit. That's not always a fun thing when you have a two way miss.”
Lin, who finished second on the Asian Tour’s Order of Merit last season, enjoyed a sizzling back nine with six birdies against two bogeys adding to two earlier birdies on the outward nine. He was thrilled to tie Woods after day one.
Playing his third WGC event this season, the man from Taipei said he was relaxed this week being in the company of the world’s leading players.
“I had a very good score today. In this tournament, there are so many superstars and I told my caddie, we are the local guys but let’s enjoy the tournament. I hit it good and putted well, took only 25 putts.
“On the front nine, I tried to keep it steady, but on the back nine, I just became alive. On the 12th hole, I nearly made a hole in one (with a hybrid) and the round improved from there,” said Lin.
Randhawa, Asia’s number one in 2002, was also pleased with his start after enduring a difficult past few months with poor form. “I got my swing back into the groove after a long time and it felt good. I putted well, just coming in I wished I made a few more putts as the greens were fast and true but it’s the best that I’ve hit it in the past two or three months. I’m really happy,” said Randhawa.
Entering the week in 115th place on the European Tour, Randhawa knows that his card will be locked up after this week’s event which has no halfway cut. “It was at the back of my mind and not being able to swing the way I wanted to plays on your mind. Right now, I’m really comfortable and I’ve got my card for next year. I’ll try to freewheel it this week and hope it works. I’m feeling good,” he said.
Thai star Thongchai Jaidee, who played with Woods, shot a 71 for a share of 28th position which was matched by compatriot Chapchai Nirat and Singapore’s Lam Chih Bing.
Title holder Sergio Garcia of Spain struggled to a 75 while world number two Phil Mickelson, winner here in 2007, shot a 69.
