by Jeff Skinner
Hits
Lee Westwood opens with a career best first round 65 to share the lead in his 67th major championship start. Is this the one or just another tease from Westy.
Ryan Palmer and Kevin Chappell (no bogeys) are tied with Westwood for the lead. It’s a Cinderella story! Nice work from both of them. 
Rory McIlroy is so in the groove. Eight birdies on the day and another advanced class on how to drive the ball long and straight. Rory’s downfall was a wild shot from the 10th fairway that went out of bounds. His double bogey there and a hangover bogey on eleven kept him from being the first round leader.
Jim Furyk is one stroke off the lead. He closed with three straight birdies for a 66. It seems like he is always inside the top ten every week. He is the ultimate grinder.
Phil Mickelson didn’t have his best today. He was one over par for his front nine (the back) but settled down for a three under 32 on his closing nine. Not shooting yourself out of the championship on Thursday is important. Phil is still in it.
Tom Watson, 64 year old Ryder Cup Captain, shoots one over 72 and beats half the field including Tiger and Keegan Bradley. If you can’t beat the captain you shouldn’t be on the team.
Misses
Matt Kuchar, another player with a bad back. I know from experience what a bad back can do and playing golf isn’t exactly good therapy for an aching back. Kuchar had to withdraw with another case of a top player with back problems. That’s a tough one for Kuch and maybe Captain Tom. Kuch is fifth in points on the Ryder Cup team.
And Jason Dufner had to withdraw due to his nagging neck issue. He says he won’t play again until he is healthy and can’t say when that would be. That’s another issue for Watson as Dufner is eighth in the Ryder Cup points standings. Hell, maybe Watson and newly named vice Captain Steve Stricker should bring their clubs.
Tiger Woods looked the same as he had all season. Like he’s a hurt golfer forcing himself to play. He played lousy and did all he could to keep it to a three over 74. The only birdie and highlight of his day was a chip in from off the green at the sixteenth hole. 
The marquee threesome of Phil, Tiger and Padraig Harrington was a dud. Tiger shoots 74, Paddy 73. Only Phil was able to manage to get it under par with his 69. Maybe Friday will be better.
I see TNT has adapted the ESPN method of broadcasting golf. Three minutes of play followed by eight minutes of commercials followed by a five minute recap of all of Tiger’s shots. Please…give me a break and show more golf.
Related Articles
