Levet soars as Woods falters
Frenchman Thomas Levet, down in 80th place in Europe’s Ryder Cup race, reminded everybody of his talent by taking a share of the first-round lead at the US Tour’s Buick Invitational in California.
Levet fired a seven-under-par 65 to match American Brandt Jobe – and they were six strokes ahead of defending champion Tiger Woods, who struggled on his return to action.
The world number one hit only one fairway all day on the easier North course at Torrey Pines and faced a battle to survive the halfway cut when he switched to the South.
“The driver is fine,” Woods said, referring to the new club in his bag. “It’s the dude holding it. I can hit better shots than that. That’s how it works. I didn’t make two good swings – it was just an ugly round of golf. Just terrible.”
Levet was a member of the Ryder Cup team that won by a record score in Detroit two years ago, but if he wants to keep his place he needs a lot more rounds like this one.
Like Jobe he did not have a bogey, but they were instantly aware they still had the 7,607-yard South course to come.
“It’s a monster,” commented Levet, who has now moved his family from England to Florida to concentrate on the US Tour.
He finished outside the top 125 last season, but still has another year to run on his exemption from making the Ryder Cup side.
“I did almost what I wanted in Europe – the only thing missing was a major,” he added. “I think you need to come over here to improve your game and to be able to compete in the majors.
“I know I can win a tournament if I play well. My philosophy in golf is not to stay at my level and play with the guys you play with every day. It’s to play with the best players in the world.
“When you look at who’s at the top of the world, it’s Tiger Woods, so you have to come and compete against him and improve. That’s the joy of golf. On any given day any pro can beat anyone.”
Of the top 40 players only five played on the South Course on the opening day - the best of them Swede Jesper Parnevik with a 67.
“It’s been a few years since it feels that comfortable, especially with the irons,” said Parnevik, runner-up in last week’s Bob Hope Chrysler Classic.
“Last year I just said ‘heck with it – I’m going to surrender.’ I gave in. The game got me.”
England’s Luke Donald, second in the event the last two years, slumped to a 75 in his first round of the season. Greg Owen was only one better than that, but Brian Davis returned a 68 to be in joint 24th spot.
Woods was outscored by both his playing partners. Sergio Garcia recovered from two over for a 69, while Australian Stuart Appleby, already with a win in 2006, pitched in for eagle in a 66 that put him in a nine-way tie for third.
