Day One at St Andrews...
I walked down to the putting green to watch Shane Lowry coming back to shore around lunchtime, his first Open Championship round of the week shipwrecked on the shores of St Andrews' notorious Road Hole. While I was there, I noticed 'the coolest man in golf' - Miguel Angel Jimenez, gliding the putts into the cup. In his mouth was a cigar, and he puffed away without a care in the world with no hands for support. Quite a skill.
It made me think of the Hamlet advertisement, which I think involved Russ Abbott and a golf game, but my mind is sketchy and I am not going to search for it on the web. "Happiness is a cigar called Hamlet," went the punchline, and I couldn't help thinking about it when I contrasted the respective rounds of leader Dustin Johnson (pictured) and Tiger Woods. Johnson, after an exile, whether self imposed or enforced from the PGA Tour in 2014, seems a happy camper now. He's just had a child with partner Paula Gretsky, daughter of ice hockey legend Wayne, and Johnson has dusted off the disappointment of his US Open near miss at Chambers Bay with horizontal ease.
The American's attitude and sharp driving sent him hurtling towards a 7 under par 65 in the most benign conditions of the day and possibly the week, when it was almost essential to make hay. Woods, winner here in 2000 and 2005, was also granted these calm conditions and took 76. It was a sad sight to witness a player who won 5 times in 2013 unravel so completely. Something is not right with Tiger Woods, and in my humble opinion, it's not the much publicised swing changes with Chris Como. The 14 time major winner appears to my mind to be playing without soul. It's only a personal view, but his smiles perhaps hide the tears of a clown.
In terms of other competitors, it will be fascinating to see how Grand Slam hunting Jordan Spieth handles the forecast wet and windy conditions which are about to hit the East Coast of Scotland. Will he start shouting at his ball frequently again? He's beautifully positioned on 5 under, with the talented Australian Jason Day and former major winners Retief Goosen and Zach Johnson on a mark of 6 under. It was heartening for all Irish golf fans to see 22 year old Wicklow amateur Paul Dunne break 70 and eclipse his professional countrymen, who need to raise their games. I thought I wouldn't miss Rory McIlroy this week, but I do. I miss his honesty. I miss his walk. I love that swagger. It's going to be a wild weather day on Friday. Time to smoke some indoor cigars. With hands!
