Roundup of day 1 at The Open Championship

Wow where do you start in a first day with its share of surprises. From the weather which was anything but Open Championship like with almost no wind and no rain. To 59 year old Tom Watson looking like he did 32 years ago when he won at Turnberry. Watson even told the media after the round "I almost feel like i did 32 years ago except I am less confident with my putting." Last time I checked a bogey free clinic is not bad putting which begs the question......"What happens if he does get confident with the flatstick?" A 6th Open title is not out of the realm of possibility. As i said in the preview Watson can win this golf tournament and definately contend during the weekend. While some may say "he can't carry out this performance during a 4 day stretch especially if typicall Scottish winds return." I STRONGLY disagree, Watson is definately a proven champ with 5 Open titles to his credit during the era's of the Nicklaus', Palmer's, Player's, and Ballesteros' of the world. Not bad competition ehh. Also on a day where it seemed under par was the norm worlds #1 couldn't even get to level par as he finished with a +1 71. Tiger didn't hit many fairways made crucial mistakes, such as hitting it into the burn on 16, and had 30 putts. On a day when Miguel Angel Jimmenez shoots 64 for a stroke lead over Watson Tiger was out of rythem and anything but Tigerlike. Another surprise on the leaderboard was John Daly. While for many this was a complete shock for some it became of no surprise. Yes, he hasn't played on the PGA tour much this season he has spent ample time on the European Tour and has played well. Can he keep up his good play? I don't know if he knows that answer. O'Merea also returned to old form as he posted a solid 67 and showed everyone hes till got some left in the tank. As for the bid for a three peat for Paddy? Well it wasn't a bad round and he hit some very high quality shots he wasn't able to convert on some of his birdie opportunities but is well in range only 5 behind. So as we prepare for day 2 it will be interesting to see how the "surprises" handle themselves now that they find themselves dealing with "major championship leaderboard pressure". My prediction is this: scoring won't be nearly as good as today but there will be players that find a way to post a low number. Tiger will have his kinks worked out and will play solid and if he gets in a rythem we will experience the "Tiger effect" as he surges up the leaderboard. However Watson WILL NOT go away he knows how to play championship golf he has been there before and also he will not back down to any "Tiger Charge"
Kyle C. Rush