Open Championship 2013 Round 1 Thoughts

I love the Open Championship. It may in fact be my favorite tournament of the year. The style of golf is so different from everything else on the PGA Tour. Virtually every shot is fascinating to me. I love the irons off the tee, the bump and runs, the ground game. I love the creativity. And I love the look of the courses. I I dream of the day when I can get to Scotland to play.

My fantasy picks are were a mixed bag today. Here they are:

Phil Mickelson T9
Brandt Snedeker T4
Jason Day T47
Ian Poulter T27
Luke Donald T143
Matt Kuchar T59

Backups:
Tiger T9
Oosthuizen WD

In the game I play, the backups come into play when someone misses the cut. It looks like Donald will miss the cut; Kuchar may very well do so. That’ll leave me one player short because of Oosthuizen’s withdrawal.

I’m disappointed with Kuchar’s position. He is one of the top players in putts gained, which I thought should make a big difference at the Open Championship. Apparently not.

At least I didn’t pick McIlroy. But I remembered that he had said that he doesn’t like links golf, so he’s never going to be an Open Championship pick for me.

Tiger’s in a T9 right now, but considering the conditions, he may have had the round of the day. Worrisome for other players is that his putting seemed to be solid.

Mark O’Meara?! Why not? The way this course is playing, brains and experience will count for a lot.

Phil is in a good position, but he’s got to play in what promises to be a worse time in the afternoon tomorrow. Conversely, Tiger’s position improved.

Waiting for tomorrow morning with great anticipation.