Watson back on form

Bubba Watson showed no signs of a hangover from the US Open as he took a two-shot lead on day one of the Travelers Championship.

The two-time Masters winner missed the cut for the first time this year at Chambers Bay last week after a disastrous second round but responded to that disappointment with an excellent first round at TPC River Highlands.

The world number five carded nine birdies and one bogey as he fired an eight-under par 62 to move clear of Seung-Yul Noh, Brian Stuard, Jason Gore, Keegan Bradley and Harris English, who all share second after the first round.

Watson said he felt his driving had given him the advantage in Connecticut, the 36-year-old averaging just over 325 yards from the tee.

“If I drive it halfway decent, I’m going to have short irons, I’m going to have wedges,” he told Sky Sports 4. “I think we counted up around five holes that aren’t wedges, so that means if my wedges are halfway decent I’m going to have a lot of birdie putts.”

Further down the leader-board, Zach Johnson recovered from a poor start to fire a 65 and join seven other players on five-under par, while Padraig Harrington and Ernie Els are amongst a huge group of players a shot further back.

Tagged Bubba Watson, Travelers Champ, Travelers Championship