article_snippet.sent: Defending champion Bubba Watson struggled to find Defending champion Bubba Watson rhythm in opening round .
article_snippet.sent: There were also two encouraging moments during that front nine, however, when Defending champion Bubba Watson turned what would have been double bogeys in the past into mere bogeys.
article_snippet.sent: At the par-five second Defending champion Bubba Watson drove into a hazard and was staring an ugly seven in the face for openers until Defending champion Bubba Watson got down in two blows from 100 yards.
article_snippet.sent: At the sixth, Defending champion Bubba Watson mis-hit chip came back down the steep slope but Defending champion Bubba Watson didn’t panic.
article_snippet.sent: Defending champion Bubba Watson decided to take Defending champion Bubba Watson putter for the second attempt and got down in two.
article_snippet.sent: The value of limiting the damage was emphasised further when Defending champion Bubba Watson notched Defending champion Bubba Watson first birdie of the day at the next.
article_snippet.sent: Over the front nine Defending champion Bubba Watson had given up three shots on the par fives alone to playing partner Mickelson, but here Defending champion Bubba Watson got the two birdies on offer at the 13th and the 15th.
article_snippet.sent: but I holed some good putts on the back nine,’ Defending champion Bubba Watson said.