Southport’s Lee Slattery brilliantly upstaged the best in the game, including 14-time Major winning Tiger Woods, to be just two shots from the lead on day one of the WGC – Bridgestone Invitational in Akron, Ohio.
Slattery, who celebrates his 34th birthday tomorrow (FRID), reeled off six birdies in a seven hole stretch mid-round, including four in succession from his 10th hole, in a five under par 65.
The Englishman trails 43-year old American Jim Furyk who posted a seven under par 63 in heat wave conditions on the Firestone course.
Slattery, and the golfer with the movie star looks, is contesting the $US 8.5m event for a first occasion courtesy of capturing last year’s Madrid Masters, and his maiden Race to Dubai success.
England's Lee Slattery lying second after day one of the WGC - Bridgestone Invitational. (Photo - www.golfbytourmiss.com)
“It’s been a long transition for me, and I’ve never been a quick improver,” he said.
“But certainly having that win last year in Madrid and playing a lot steadier, I’m starting to make the progress which I always expected to at some stage.”
Fellow English Luke Donald and Simon Dyson are just a shot back on four under par but with Dyson, contesting the event for a third straight year, still battling a chest infection he picked up during the Open Championship.
“I’ve been to Wallmart to raid the medicine shelves to try and shake this chest bug,” Dyson said.
“It’s just amazing how many different types of drugs you can buy off the shelf when you need a prescription for most of them back home.”
