QUICK STARTS: Tiger Woods hits a pitch shot during his first-round 66 at the Bridgestone Invitational yesterday; Inbee Park (inset), trying to become the first woman to win four straight majors, waves to the crowd during her opening-round 69 in the Women’s British Open. (
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So much for course knowledge.

Webb Simpson, playing his first competitive round at Firestone Country Club, shot a 6-under 64 yesterday to take a one-stroke lead in the Bridgestone Invitational in Akron, Ohio.

It all came down to trust.

“Well, I knew it all through my caddie [Paul Tesori], who’s been here so many years,” Simpson said. “I just kind of had to listen to him.”

Seven-time Bridgestone winner Tiger Woods did not have to rely so much on the man on his bag, Joe LaCava, while shooting a 66. Woods has 11 top-10 finishes in his 13 starts at the course, so he clearly knows where to go.

Still, he needed his counsel from time to time.

“I hit a lot of good shots. I had a really good feel for the distance today, and Joey and I really read the wind right today,” Woods said after his best opening round at the course since another 66 spurred him to a one-shot victory in 2005. “We changed a lot of shots out there, and we both had a really good handle on what we were doing feel-wise with the wind.”

Henrik Stenson was alone in second with a 65. Defending champion Keegan Bradley, Ryan Moore and Chris Wood, another first-time entrant, matched Woods at 66.

Another shot back at 67 in the star-studded field were Furyk, Jason Dufner, Bubba Watson, Rickie Fowler, Bill Haas and Luke Donald.

Phil Mickelson, coming off his dramatic victory at the British Open two weeks ago, struggled with his concentration and came in with a 72.

“Tonight I’ll get a little bit more rest and try not to do too much and see if I can come out tomorrow a little bit more focused,” he said.

He missed two par putts inside 3 feet on consecutive holes early in his round.

Rory McIlroy will defend his title at the PGA next week but hasn’t won a tournament since then in a year of dramatic swings that included a Ryder Cup victory and a series of disappointments. He shot an even-par 70.

Reno-Tahoe Open

Josh Teater took the first-round lead in the Reno-Tahoe Open in Nevada, scoring five points with an eagle on the par-5 eighth hole and finishing with a two-point birdie on the ninth in the modified Stableford event.

Women’s British Open

Inbee Park wasn’t just chasing history at St. Andrews. She was sprinting toward it.

All it took were three loose tee shots, a pair of three-putts and one double bogey on the back nine of the Women’s British Open at the Old Course in Scotland to remind her winning an unprecedented four straight majors in one year is not going to be easy.

Park ran off six birdies in 10 holes to race to the top of the leaderboard, only to stumble coming back in for a 3-under 69 that left her three shots out of the lead.

“Felt like a roller coaster today,” Park said.

Morgan Pressel, one spot out of making the Solheim Cup team this week, caught a break with the weather in the afternoon and made seven birdies in a round of 66 to share the lead with Camilla Lennarth of Sweden. They were one shot ahead of a large group that included Stacy Lewis, the former No. 1 player in women’s golf who shot 31 on the tougher back nine. Also at 67 was 2012 U.S. Women’s Open champion Na Yeon Choi.

Paula Creamer, Lizette Salas and Catriona Matthew were among those at 68 on a day when three dozen players broke 70.