Golf: 150th British Open Championship first day highlights
The first day of the British Open being held at Old Course St. Andrews, Scotland turned out to be a nightmare, because of weather conditions.
The weather was dreary, and it rained the entire day. The wind was blowing constantly making the conditions worse for accurate target shooting. Changes have been made to the course. The new tee box has been put outside the perimeters of the course, and 40 yards have been added to the “Road Hole” 17th. It was the second round at St. Andrews but it seemed like the first day at school for the players. When players inquired about clothes, weather and the changes in the course all players had different views.
Stewart Cink, last year’s winner of the Claret Jug, was not wearing Kermit green as he calls it, even though he was wearing it 12 months back at Turnberry, when he won the championship. Then he considered the green colour which he wore, as a lucky charm. This year he will be seen in a Nike outfit throughout the week.
Regarding the changes that are bought in the old course, all had different views. Starting with the 17th which has been stretched to an additional 40 yards, there was a sense of fear in the chilly air. When asked from the fearsome Andrew Coltart, how he felt about those additional miles he nervously said that they should have made a toilet near the tee to accommodate the terrible change. However, moving the new tee box outside the perimeters of the course had its consequences. Only 58, of the first 135, players to play the hole managed to hit the green in regulation.
The weather, which was rainy and windy, made the situation and shots worse and it was not forecasted correctly. The American, who scored 2 under, Mark Calcavecchia, the Open Champion of 1989, said, that it seemed that no one knew the actual weather forecasts, the only statement the weather forecast team at St Andrews gave was that the weather is going to be really bad, so when it turns pleasant players become surprised.
The weather and the sense of nervousness produced some pathetic shots. Obviously, the players can’t be held responsible for them. The Englishman, Oliver Wilson’s first tee shot was in the Swilcan burn, helped him in winning the prize for the worst start. The second player to get this prize was, the two-time Open champion, Padraig Harrington whose shot on the first hole ended in the Swilcan Burn as well, getting him a double bogey.
More frustration followed as Brian Davis, the 35-year old American residing in London, who flew all the way from John Deere Classic Illinois to St Andrews, as the first reserve, waited till 4:21 pm praying someone might pull out of the game, but to his luck it did not happen. Brian Davis rose to the 1st reserve from the 4th reserve when Anthony Kim, David Toms and Greg Norman, withdrew.
Steve Tiley, who finished 3rd on the leader board at 6 under with a bogey free round, was one of the players in the limelight. He won the Egyptian Open 8th months ago in November. He finished with a six-under-par 66. There he banked £20,000 prize for the champion. In the same event, the Ryder Cup Champion, Colin Montgomerie finished in 5th position.
The man from England (Steve Tiley) is seen on billboards in Egypt. He made news there so chances are he will make some big headings at St. Andrews. He played pretty well on the first day and people are expecting a fair game from the lad but then building pressure can spoil his position as well.
Overall the highlights of the day were that Marcel Siem, from Germany, finished with 5 under, whereas John Daly in a pink polo shirt delighted the spectators when he made he shot a 66 finishing 6 under. Although, there was a moment of agony for him when he missed a putt on the 16th, he finished 3rd sharing the position with Andrew Coltart, Bradley Dredge, Peter Hanson, and Steve Tiley. Tiger Woods stood at 5 under tied with 9 other players. This is it for the first round, in which Rory McIlory was outstanding, let’s see what happens next.
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