GMac Attack: McDowell opens strong at Firestone and hopes to be on the other side of slump

Danny Lee, from New Zealand, hits from the fairway on the 10th hole during the first round of the Bridgestone Invitational golf tournament at Firestone Country Club, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015, in Akron, Ohio. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak) (The Associated Press)

Jordan Spieth hits a chip to the second green during the first round of the Bridgestone Invitational golf tournament, in Akron, Ohio, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015. (AP Photo/Phil Long) (The Associated Press)

AKRON, Ohio – Danny Lee made seven birdies for a 5-under 65 for a one-shot lead Thursday in his first time at the Bridgestone Invitational in six years.

Lee had a one-shot lead over Graeme McDowell and Jim Furyk.

The major championship pairing of Jordan Spieth (Masters and U.S. Open) and Zach Johnson (British Open) produced two rounds of even-par 70. Some of that was rust from being off the last two weeks. Most of that was Firestone.

The South Course was firm on the fairways and greens, lush in the rough. Only 21 players in the 77-man field broke par. Phil Mickelson was not among them. He made only one birdie and shot 76.

It was an important start for McDowell, who is in one of the worst slumps of his career.