Bubba Watson opened the Northern Trust Open with a round of five-under par 66 at Riviera Country Club, a reminder that it’s more than a Jordan Spieth-Rory McIlroy show.
Watson, who won the event in 2014, was tied for the lead with Chez Reavie and Luke List from the morning wave of players.
Meanwhile, McIlroy’s competitive debut at Riviera was a productive one, a four-under par 67 that also represented an opening salvo in his rivalry with Spieth.
McIlroy, third in the World Ranking, posted the score before No. 1-ranked Spieth had begun his round. Watson is sixth in the World Ranking.
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