WGC: Lee early leader at Firestone

New Zealand’s Danny Lee holds a one-shot advantage after carding a five-under-par 65 on day one of the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational.

The 25-year-old, who was born in South Korea, fired in seven birdies and two bogeys to take the outright tournament lead heading into Friday’s action.

Lee has continued his impressive form on the PGA Tour with victory in the Greenbrier Classic, his maiden title on the American circuit, followed by a tie for third in the John Deere Classic and a joint-fourth finish in the Quicken Loans National.

One-stroke is only a slender advantage though, and the leader is being chased hard by Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell and US veteran Jim Furyk, both who are on -4 after rounds of 66.

The latter was on course to take a share of the lead heading into Friday but the 45-year-old bogeyed the 18th to slip back into a share of second.

Further down the leaderboard and Rickie Fowler is lurking on -3 alongside Englishman Justin Rose, the duo both shooting 67’s to sit just two shots off the top.

There is also good news for Frenchman Victor Dubuisson, the 2014 European Ryder Cup winner looked in good form as he shot a two-under-par 68 to take an eight-way tie for sixth.

Also in that long group are Paul Casey, Robert Streb, Koumei Oda, Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter, Webb Simpson and Henrik Stenson.

Tagged Danny Lee, Graeme McDowell, WGC Bridgestone, WGC-Bridgestone Invitational