Watson recovers after slow start

Bubba Watson produced a strong finish to his opening round at the Shenzhen International to stay in touch with the leaders.
Watson, whose Masters defence last week was undone by a poor performance on the Augusta greens, again struggled with his putter in China on Thursday.
His two-under-par 70 featured seven makeable but missed birdie chances, though he was able to rally on the back nine, making three gains in a row from the fifth to stay within four of the lead.
“It was a slow start, getting used to the greens,” Watson admitted. “The speed of them coming from the Masters to here was a little different.
“I three-putted one hole and some of my chips didn’t turn out the way I wanted them to. It’s not really about confidence; it’s just about feeling the greens out.
“It’s just one of those things I’ve got used to; it’s not bad, just different to what I’m used to. The whole golf course sets up good for me. I hit my driver quite nicely off the tee and hopefully tomorrow I can make a few putts.”
Latest
-
PGA Championship
Matt Fitzpatrick: Falling short at US PGA Championship ‘hurts a hell of a lot’
Fitzpatrick carded a closing three-over-par 73 to miss out on the play-off between eventual winner Justin Thomas and Will Zalatoris by two shots.
-
PGA Championship
Justin Thomas pays tribute to caddie Jim ‘Bones’ Mackay after his US PGA victory
Phil Mickelson’s former bagman gave Thomas a crucial pep talk after he shot 74 on Saturday.
-
PGA Championship
Tommy Fleetwood confident he is ‘coming out the other side’ after dip in form
Fleetwood finished in a tie for fifth at the US PGA Championship.
-
PGA Championship
Emotional Justin Thomas credits his experience for US PGA victory
Thomas also won the 2017 US PGA at Quail Hollow.
-
PGA Championship
Justin Thomas eclipses Will Zalatoris in play-off to claim second US PGA title
The former world number one’s victory equalled the biggest comeback in US PGA history.
-
PGA Championship
Rory McIlroy’s Sunday charge at US PGA Championship ends in disappointment
McIlroy’s closing 68 in Tulsa was followed by him declining to speak to waiting reporters.
-
PGA Championship
Paul McGinley says Tiger Woods deserves better than to be a ‘ceremonial golfer’
The 46-year-old withdrew from a major championship for the first time in his professional career at Southern Hills.
-
PGA Championship
Mito Pereira with three-shot lead at US PGA as Tiger Woods withdraws
It is the first time in his career that Woods has withdrawn from a major.
-
PGA Championship
Matt Fitzpatrick relishing chance at securing first major title
A third round of 67 means Fitzpatrick trails leader Mito Pereira by three shots at the US PGA Championship.
-
PGA Championship
Tiger Woods withdraws from US PGA following his worst round at event
The American made the halfway cut with a shot to spare at Southern Hills, but struggled to a nine-over-par 79 in the third round.