Thursday 16 April 2015 15:26, UK
Bubba Watson recovered from a sluggish start to finish strongly in the opening round of the Shenzhen International in his first tournament appearance since the Masters.
Less than a week on from a low-key tied-38th finish at Augusta, where Watson admitted to being disappointed with his putting after finishing one over par and 19 shots adrift of Jordan Spieth, the world No 4 continued to struggle on the greens during his first round in China.
The highest ranked player in the field failed to capitalise on several birdie chances during his two-under 70, posting back-to-back bogeys to start his back nine, but recovered to make three gains in a row from the fifth to stay within four of the lead.
“It was a slow start, getting used to the greens,” Watson admitted. “The speed of them coming from the Masters to here was a little different.
“I three-putted one hole and some of my chips didn’t turn out the way I wanted them to. It’s not really about confidence; it’s just about feeling the greens out.
“It’s just one of those things I’ve got used to; it’s not bad, just different to what I’m used to. The whole golf course sets up good for me. I hit my driver quite nicely off the tee and hopefully tomorrow I can make a few putts.”
Watson’s one shot adrift of a group ten players on three-under including five-time European Tour winner Ross Fisher, who bounced back from missing the cut at last month’s Trophee Hassan II by firing six birdies at Genzon GC.
The world No 73 also posted three bogeys in blustery conditions, dropping shots at the fifth, 12th and 13th, with Fisher confident he can produce stronger displays during the rest of the week.
“I didn’t feel like I played particularly well; felt like I struggled to control the golf ball,” Fisher said. “Teeing off so early, it was difficult to get the yardages spot on and I came up a little bit short on the first couple of holes.
“The front nine kind of settled down a bit, I played a lot better, hit some good quality shots and made some putts which is nice and something I’ve been working on. To feel like I didn’t play my best and still shoot three-under, I’m pretty pleased.”
Watch day two of the Shenzhen International live on Friday from 5.30am on Sky Sports 4 – your home of golf.
