What a day for the Euros at The Open 2014
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IT was a great day for the Europeans with the 1st round Open leaderboard being dominated by the Euros. Long may it continue…
It was a particularly successful day for the Italian contingent with young Matteo Manassero again impressively displaying his talent and potential after opening his account with a five-under-par 67.
He’s just one shot away from Rory McIlroy who shot a flawless bogeyless 66 and one ahead of his compatriots, Molinari brothers Edoardo and Francesco who both played just ahead of Molinari and carded 68s.
“It’s fantastic, it’s great” was Manassero’s reaction to the memorable Italian day at Hoylake. “It’s so good for Italian golf and all of us got off to a fast start.
“And when you’ve got three players up there, there’s a better chance of staying around until Sunday. It’s going to be wonderful to have a few Italians up there on Sunday afternoon. It will be great fun if that’s the case.”
Manaserro and the Molinari brothers are hoping to succeed where Constatino Rocca failed at St Andrews in 1995 when he dramatically lost in a play-off against John Daly.
There are seven players on -4 including Spain’s Sergio Garcia, strongly fancied this time to clinch his long-awaited first major, vastly experienced American Jim Furyk and Aussie ace Adam Scott. Lurking just a shot behind are Rickie Fowler, impressively getting used to the quirky nuances of links golf, and…Tiger Woods.
After a long injury absence, Woods reckons he’s fully fit again and ready to contend. But when he opened bogey-bogey the signs weren’t good. However, Tiger hit back in style, clearly remembering his 2006 Hoylake exploits when he tore the course and the rest of the field apart.
Favourite Justin Rose, winner of his last two tournaments, will be disappointed with his level par round but is still very much in contention though knows he needs to take full advantage of his chances and keep slip-ups to a minimum tomorrow.
Former US Open champion Graeme McDowell was equally unhappy with his round of 74 (+2) but like Rose is aware there’s still a long, long way to go. He’s hoping the turn in weather forecast for the next two days will turn in his favour work and put him back on track.
Things can only get better for young Aussie, former British Amateur champion Bryden Macpherson who endured an Open nightmare, shooting the dreaded 90 – the tournament’s worst round opening round in 15 years.
