World Golf Championships Bridgestone Invitational Akron, Ohio August 6-9

Firestone Country Club Friday Aug 7 1st & 2nd rounds.

Two beautiful days for golf on the first 2 rounds of the WGC at Akron,that helped the 80 players in the field to score decently on this brutal par 70 7400 yards golf course.

Padraig Harrington had a brilliant round 64 on Thursday thanks to a hot putter.He led the field by 2 strokes at -6 with Prayad Marksaeng and Tim Clark in 2nd place at -4. Tiger Woods,who won 6 times at Akron ,is looking to be the first player ever to win 7 times on the same course.Despite many errand shots from the tee tiger shot 2 under par 68. Phil Mickelson made his first start since his runner-up finish seven weeks ago at the U.S. Open.After a shaky start he came back with 3 birdies on his last 9 holes for a level par 70.Phil said that he’s happy to be back as he didn’t think he would miss competing as much as he did.

Today Harrington shot a solid 69 which puts him at -7 with a 1 shot lead over Tim Clark who shared the lead for a few holes.Scott Verplank after 66 yesterday and 69 today is 3rd at -5.Thailand’s Marksaeng also got it to -7 but quickly retreated with 3 bogeys on the back nine for a round of 70, tied in 4th place at -4 with Jerry Kelly (65) and Steve Stricker.

Woods had 31 putts on his second round for a 70 and stays at -2, 5 shots off the lead. Mickelson is at -1 after a 69 today.The longest hitter on the european tour spaniard Alvaro Quiros shot the best round of the day 5 under par 65,he stands at -3, 4 off the lead.

Padraig Harrington has been working on his swing for the last year.It seems to be producing dividends at the right time,the irishman will be defending the lead tomorrow and his PGA Championship title next week at Hazeltine.

All 80 players will tee-up on the week-end ,no cut at the WGC Bridgestone,check out the betting lines at BetPhoenix.com Sportsbook.