Even with a rain delay, they were able to complete the first round of the PGA Championship at Oak Hill Country Club, near Rochester, N.Y., and I have to admit that the leaderboard appears to be more impressve than I expected. In fact, the two leaders are pretty big stars who have both won majors before. And this may finally be Lee Westwood's time to win a major:
T1. J. Furyk: -5 (65)
T1. A. Scott (AUS): -5 (65)
T3. D. Hearn (CAN): -4 (66)
T3. L. Westwood (ENG): -4 (66)
T5. R. Garrigus: -3 (67)
T5. P. Casey (ENG): -3 (67)
T5. M. Kuchar: -3 (67)
T5. M. Fraser (AUS): -3 (67)
T5. S. Piercy: -3 (67)
T5. J. Day (AUS): -3 (67)
Meanwhile, here is how the world's ten highest-ranked golfers did today. As you will see, none of them are really out of it (except for Tiger, who can't putt Oak Hill's greens):
1. Tiger Woods -- 1-over par 71; tied for 50th
2. Phil Mickelson -- 1-over par 71; tied for 50th
3. Rory McIlroy (NIR) -- 1-under par 69; tied for 22d
4. Justin Rose (ENG) -- 2-under par 68; tied for 11th
5. Adam Scott (AUS) -- 5-under par 65; tied for 1st
6. Matt Kuchar -- 3-under par 67; tied for 5th
7. Brandt Snedeker -- even par 70; tied for 36th
8. Graeme McDowell (NIR) -- even par 70; tied for 36th
9. Luke Donald (ENG) -- 1-over par 71; tied for 50th
10. Keegan Bradley -- 1-under par 69; tied for 22d
So this could turn out to be another great tournament after all. We will be hoping for the best.
Spare a thought for Kohki Idoki, who at the age of 51 had never played in a major tournament before, but who birdied 2, 3, 4, and 5 to move within a shot of the lead. After making the turn in only 32 shots, he shot a 40 on the back nine, and ended his round with a double-bogey on 18. He is two over for the tournament, in a tie for 74th place.
ReplyDeleteI turned 45 last week, and, as pat as pat can be, my left knee started creaking.
ReplyDeleteSo, anyway, yeah, I will spare a thought for Kohki Idoki.
ReplyDelete