AKRON, Ohio — Some golfers need to trust their swing. Some need to trust their judgment.

Webb Simpson grabbed a surprising first-round lead at the Bridgestone Invitational by trusting his caddie.

Playing Firestone Country Club for the first time, Simpson relied on caddie Paul Tesori to help guide him around in a round of 6-under-par 64 on Thursday.

“It’s hard for us players to listen to our caddies, but he basically showed me where to go yesterday and told me where to hit it, where the lines were, what clubs to hit,” said Simpson, the 2012 U.S. Open champion. “I didn’t feel like it was my first time because he has so much experience here.”

Tesori has caddied for the likes of Vijay Singh and Jerry Kelly and is also an accomplished player.

Even veterans who seem to know every blade of grass on the course can benefit from a good partner out there. Seven-time Bridgestone winner Tiger Woods proved that with the help and counsel of caddie Joe LaCava.

“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 a 66, his best opening round at the course since a 66 on the way to a win 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.

Simpson had six birdies in an eight-hole span but closed with a bogey. He hasn’t won this season, calling his year “encouraging and frustrating.”

“I do feel like I’m getting better,” he said. “I just don’t have the results this year to show it.”

Stenson birdied the first hole and then pounded a fairway wood 243 yards to inside 4 feet to set up an eagle on the second.

He had more problems with his outfit than the course. He was breaking in a new pair of shoes and felt a blister coming on at the turn, so he had to switch to an older pair that didn’t necessarily fit with his ensemble.