Golf’s Elite Kick-Start the Season’s First WGC at Doral

The seasons first WGC has gone under-way at Trump National Doral in Florida, where the world’s golfing elite have taken to the tee to compete in one of sport’s most prestigious events.

The WGC-Cadillac Championship kick-started today, with all eyes on non-other than the worlds top three players, who played together for the first time this year.

Spieth, Day and McIlroy were the grouping of the day, with all three putting in a solid first round of the Championship.

 
The world number one ended the day as leader of the group after carding a 69, followed by the Irishman at one-under-par, closely followed by the second in the world who shot a level round.

McIlroy’s new putting technique has been the talk of the golfing world this week, and is proving to be a work in progress, after he birdied five of the front ten holes, but later three-putted on the eighth for par followed by a double-bogey on the ninth.

Despite these three being at the heart of the day’s action, it is Scott Piercy and Marcus Fraser who are top of the leaderboard after day one.

Both players carded an impressive round of 66 at the famously difficult “Blue Monster”, including five birdies on the front nine for the American, to take a share of the lead heading into the second round of the star-studded tournament.

Talking to the European Tour, an in-form Fraser said: “The greens are perfect out there. There’s not a mark on them, so if you feel like you read them well and get the ball started on line, it’s a good chance to go in.

“I felt like everything was pretty good today and felt like it was all around, I did a good job.

“I really gave myself a chance on just about every hole, which obviously you need to do on this golf course. I’m probably one of the shortest hitters here, so have to play the golf course fairly smartly.”

Up amongst the top of the pack is American Phil Mickelson, who is only one shot behind at three-under-par after showcasing some short-game magic throughout the day, and is closely followed by Danny Willett and Jason Dufner both on four under.

 
One shot behind Willett and Dufner sits Bubba Watson, who recovered from three bogeys on the front nine by making six birdies, to climb back to 3-under-par.

Also, last year’s winner Dustin Johnson is still in contention to defend his title after shooting level-par in today’s opening round.

With the field being one of the strongest we’ve ever seen, it is fair to say that anything can happen over the next three days, and is certainly not one to miss.

Cover Photo via Flickr