Thursday at the Open - first day's play

[JungleJ]

And they are off - Craig Parry gets us under way.

It's wet and windy in Southport - who copes and who flops today? How low can they go?

[Lefty]

This will be absolute carnage.

Weather is currently rain, with winds of 16mph gusting to 35 mph.

The good news is that the rain is due to stop Friday afternoon.

The bad news is that the rain on Saturday is forecasted to be heavier, with winds goingup to 21 mph ,gusting at 45 mph.

The good news is that Sunday forecast is for sunny , and winds dropping to 20 mph ,gusting at 33 mph.

Anyone who breaks 80 today will be in with a shout. Anyone who breaks 150 by Friday night will ahve a two shot lead on the field.

Winner will have a score around 10 over.

[JungleJ]

Welcome back Lefty.

It's mayhem already out there... Simon Dyson and Darren Fichardt are already +11 (after 15 and 12 holes respectively). I thought I saw Sandy Lyle at +11 as well but his name is no longer on the scoreboard - has he been DQ'd or withdrawn?

[lwc]

Sandy . . . WD

[Bigvivec]

Phil is getting hammered...his body language isn't good...


On the other hand Els looks great...and KJ is soldiering on...and Goosen just hit the pin on 12...and Harrington is inside him...man; I hate that I have to go back to work now...

[Lefty]

Justin Rose has just finished with a 74 . With just over half the field started he is tied 37th. By the end of today , he will be in top ten.

[JimSomebody]

Jerry Kelly's 83 is the almost-worst score posted so far. Scott Strange is in with 84.

Notable 18-hole scores so far: Retief at 71; Justin Rose, Paddy, and Tom Watson (!) at 74.

I just love The Open Championship.

[petermo]

I'm disgusted by Ernie's absolute lack of guts - 1 short missed putt (to go 2 over) and he quits when by grafting a little harder he could still put together a respectable score.

Look at Westwood - nowhere near as talented but lots of fight and after a long time in the cold.

Too much money and not enough work!

[Wazmankg]

David Duval shoots an early 73. That has to be the shocker of the day so far.

[CristieKerr]

Originally Posted by Wazmankg

David Duval shoots an early 73. That has to be the shocker of the day so far.

That the most exciting news I've heard out of the Open all day!

[deronsizemore]

Originally Posted by Wazmankg

David Duval shoots an early 73. That has to be the shocker of the day so far.

I would love to see him come out of nowhere and win

[DonnaKay]

Look at Rocco go!!! Wouldn't that be the coolest story ever?

Seems those playing late have much better conditions but I imagine the situation will reverse tomorrow morning, huh?

[JimSomebody]

Van de Velde in at 73, I see.

[Darth Fader]

Great round from Greg Norman,good to see him on the leaderboard.

[HackBlack]

Every major seems to always have a 1st or 2nd round "feel good" story. This years Open stories so far are Mediate, again, and probably Norman more so than Mediate. It was also nice to see Watson aka Mr. British Open, walked off 18 with a 74 under those conditions.

Mediate's always had game. His back issues have kept him from being a "force" on tour. But, he always plays well when his back is healthy.

I don't foresee Norman continuing this trend. He played well at his previous Birkdale stops (T9 and T19). That recollection probably helped him mentally, today. But, he doesn't play enough golf anymore, IMO, to keep this up.

Watson went toe-to-toe with Rose and Badds. I think that shows everyone how important mental toughness is while playing. If bad weather persists, I think Watson will "hang around" until Sunday. Then, my guess is that exhaustion may set in and effect his final round. He's also defending the Sr. British next week at Troon. Man, the Queen should Knight this guy....Sir Watson. He dominates British golf.

[Lefty]

The rain stopped halfway through the day, making it far easier for the players teeing off after 1.pm. Goosen probably played the most impressive round of the day.

Duval and Mediate were interviewed on radio. Both are very impressive ,modest individuals who reminded us how golf always attracts gentlemen ,unlike other sports. Duval has always been liked over here, and Mediate will be joining Watson,Faxon and Di MArco in the 'Payne Stewart award for most likeable American ' play offs.

[droogy33]

Originally Posted by Lefty

Goosen probably played the most impressive round of the day.

I agree with this. What a fine round from Retief, followed closely, I think, by the rounds from Greg Norman, Mike Weir and Choi Kyoung-Ju.

Great to see Adam Scott off to a good start, as well as last week's Scottish Open champion, Graeme McDowell. Sergio and AK, too! This is going to be fun.

[xnavyct]

Just out of curiousity, what was the temperature today over there at the tournament, in Fahrenheit?

July, and everyone is wearing jackets, sweaters, and even some sock hats...?

How do all you Britons keep from being depressed all the time, with weather like that?

[Darth Fader]

Originally Posted by xnavyct

Just out of curiousity, what was the temperature today over there at the tournament, in Fahrenheit?

July, and everyone is wearing jackets, sweaters, and even some sock hats...?

How do all you Britons keep from being depressed all the time, with weather like that?

We dont,we are all manic depressives.

[PA PLAYA]

Some interesting scores posted after day one. I think it's safe to say that the later groups had a tremendous advantage, which really makes Goosen's performance very impressive. But if Lefty is giving us an accurate forecast of what lies ahead with the weather, particularly for Saturday -- this is gonna get very interesting as it plays out.

Maybe this is one of the biggest reasons I enjoy the British Open so much. You really can't predict the conditions, and that brings a lot of people back into the picture on Sunday.