[madsteve]

After Day One, i think the course proved to be a tough test for the players. The fact that Stenson & Johnson shot -5 shows that par can be beaten but so much is in the head & preparation for the course is crucial.

I may have misjudged the qualities required here slightly though. I have gone largely for Greens In Regulation players, thinking that big hitters might struggle. Largely that has been true but Dustin Johnson has gone against that with a magnificent first round.

The course will get tougher each day as it gets drier & faster plus pin positions for the final two rounds are expected to be more exacting.

My players have done ok but not brilliantly:

Tied 7th - Jordan Speith -2
Tied 26th - Michael Puttnam - Evens
Tied 26th - Hideki Matsuama - Evens
Tied 42nd - Jim Furyk +1
Tied 52nd - Justin Rose +2
Tied 52nd - Jimmy Walker +2


My Two Players for a Top Twenty finish both at 8/1 are:

Tied 26th - Michael Puttnam Evens
Tied 52nd - Ernie Els +2

However, I am still in front if all the above lose and Tiger Woods misses the cut and that is looking good:

Tied 152nd - Tiger Woods +10

I expect that any player that can finish four rounds under par will get a top ten finish and -5 will probably win it. A big factor is that the course gets harder over the day so under par scores late yesterday are better than early ones because they should get the better conditions today. That is why many firms have Speith joint favourite with Johnson overnight.

Think Owls Kev got it right going for Dustin & am annoyed with myself at not sticking with him. I do feel that he will find today tougher but I was so impressed with his ingenuity and shot making that he will clearly be in contention on Sunday.

Having said that, I strongly fancy Speith now and might have a small bet on McIlroy to miss the cut.