Akron (AP)— Bubba Watson, playing his first competitive round at venerable Firestone Country Club, shot a 6-under 64 for a two-stroke lead after Thursday’s opening round of the Bridgestone Invitational.

In marked contrast,Tiger Woods, who’s won seven times at Firestone and considers the Bridgestone almost an annuity, struggled all day and shot a 74, his worst round ever on the course and in the tournament.

“Just because I like the course doesn’t mean I’m going to play well on it,” said Woods, ahead of only eight others in the 81-player field. “You still have to execute.”

Watson sure did. He needed just 22 putts to shoot his lowest first-round score of the year. He arrived at the course on Sunday and got to know the layout before putting up seven birdies and a bogey.