Poulter storms into WGC-Bridgestone Invitational lead

England’s Ian Poulter produced a sensational round of 62 to claim the first-round lead at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational.

The 42-year-old missed out on equalling the course record by one shot at Firestone but he was left delighted after pipping American pair Rickie Fowler and Kyle Stanley to the outright lead on day one.

Poulter fired home eight birdies and failed to drop a shot in Ohio, while fellow European star Rory McIlroy is tied seventh on five-under par.

Tiger Woods was back in action for the first time since The Open and he opened with a four-under 66.

Poulter admits he would have loved to tie the record with a 61 but he was still elated with his performance.

He told BBC Sport: “It would have been lovely to get another one or two birdies, but eight under is a great score on this course.

“I had a lot of fun. Whenever you shoot 62, especially on this golf course, you must have done a lot of good things. I gave myself loads of chances.

“Tied 13th is as good as I’ve done here and that is not good enough. So it was good motivation to come out, try to be aggressive and post a good number.”