Watson and Donald post matching 66s with strangely similar strategy
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Watson and Donald post matching 66s with strangely similar strategy

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Masters champion Bubba Watson and world No. 1 Luke Donald each shot 4-under 66 on Day 1 at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational. Both used driver a lot.

That sounds strange, doesn't it?

Asked how many times he used the Pink Pounder, Watson said with a laugh, "A lot."

He then counted the holes: "1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 11, 14, 16, 17, 18."

For Watson, a windless day at Firestone CC meant giving himself the green light on driver on most holes.

"Weather dictates what we're going to do," he said. "For me, the weather is perfect today, no wind, so it was easier to hit more drivers today."

The Englishman used driver frequently on Thursday, but not by choice.

"Usually for me, I'm not quite like Bubba," Donald said with dry wit. "I have to hit driver on most holes.  A lot of the holes here I'm hitting driver."

In truth, most high-grade events like this one are decided on the greens. Donald has a decisive advantage there, but don't discount Watson's putting prowess.

"If I start winning every week," he said, "then people will realize I putt pretty good."

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Ryan Ballengee

Ryan Ballengee is founder and editor of Golf News Net. He has been writing and broadcasting about golf for nearly 20 years. Ballengee lives in the Washington, D.C. area with his family. He is a scratch golfer...sometimes.

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