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 The Australian, who dislodged Tiger Woods from the game's
pinnacle on Monday, struggled to an outward four-over-par 39 at
iconic Colonial Country Club before making three birdies after the
turn to card a one-over 71 in the opening round.
That left Scott well behind long-hitting American Dustin Johnson,
who reeled off five birdies in a flawless 65 to take control of the
prestigious PGA Tour event won five times by golfing great and Fort
Worth resident Ben Hogan.
"I thought I actually hit plenty of good shots and played from the
fairway for four over, so it wasn't ideal," Scott told reporters
about his start after teeing off at the par-four 10th.
"But I managed to tighten up on the back (nine) and make a couple of
putts."
Scott, just the second Australian to become number one following
Greg Norman's final reign which ended in 1998, bogeyed the 11th,
15th, 17th and 18th as he limped to the turn.
However he then upped a few gears, reaching the green in two at the
par-five first and two-putting for birdie before picking up another
shot at the par-four second where his approach ended up three feet
from the hole.
"All of a sudden, I had the momentum going the way I wanted and I
managed to hang on for the next few holes," Scott smiled. "It's a
testing golf course. I just have to be a little patient.
"Sometimes on a course like this, you need to be. Even with a short
iron or a wedge in your hand, you can't force it because bogeys are
easy to come by."
HIGH-PROFILE COMPANY
Scott played the opening round in high-profile company, twice
Colonial champion Zach Johnson carding a 70 and his fellow American
Jimmy Walker, the FedExCup points leader, returning a 67.
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"It was
a fun day," said Walker, who has triumphed a season-high three times
on the 2013-14 PGA Tour. "There was a good vibe in the whole group.
It was very calm and mellow."
Dustin Johnson, who clinched his eighth career win on the PGA Tour
at the WGC-HSBC Champions in November, birdied four of his first
nine holes as he surged to the top of the leaderboard.
However, he was given a helping hand late in the day by compatriot
Hunter Mahan, who had been one ahead before double-bogeying the last
for a 66 to finish level with Americans Robert Streb and Harris
English, and New Zealander Tim Wilkinson.
Among those knotted on 67 with Walker were PGA Championship winner
Jason Dufner and 2013 PGA Tour rookie of the year Jordan Spieth, a
native Texan.
American Boo Weekley, who won last year's title to get his name
engraved on the Wall of Champions by the first tee, opened with a
71.
(Reporting by Mark Lamport-Stokes in Los Angeles; Editing by Frank
Pingue)
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