Nick Watney scores a double eagle

SAN FRANCISCO -- Nick Watney scored the second double eagle in a major this year. Unlike Louis Oosthuizen, who admitted later he was rattled by his "albatross" on No. 2 at the Masters and ultimately lost to Bubba Watson in a playoff, Watney used it to ignite his round.

He was 3 over before he drained his 5-iron shot on the 522-yard 17th (his eighth hole of the day), then finished 1 under. "I feel like my game is headed in a good direction," the Sacramento native said, adding that he felt he rode a hot streak begun by Giants pitcher Matt Cain's perfect game Wednesday night.

Defending champion Rory McIlroy was part of a distinguished group composed of the top three players in the official world golf ranking. The threesome distinguished itself by its poor play. McIlroy finished 7 over, Luke Donald (world No. 1) was 9 over and Lee Westwood (No. 3) was 3 over.

"The top three golfers in the world, we had three [birdies] between us, it shows how tough it is," Donald said. "Lee had a good back nine, but Rory and I struggled."