Moving Day

The British Open, at St. Andrews, on a Saturday is a prime example of what moving day can be like with opportunities for both high/low scores. Unlike the US Open, where everyone is trying to stay above water, or even the Masters where the recent winners have been out in front, this year's Open Championship, due to course and weather has resulted in an ever changing leaderboard. After bogeying the first hole with a missed 6 footer it looked like Louis Oosthuizon was going to come back to the field, especially with Paul Casey's first nine 31 and Henrik Stenson in the midst of a 67. Few would have predicted that after that opening bogey Louie would steady the ship and not make another bogey for the entire round or miss another putt within 8 feet. He hit the ball as solid as he did the first two days and though he left himself more mark and steady second putts then you would like he showed major winning nerves making them.



Oosthuizen (-15)

Casey (-11)

Kaymer (-8)

Stenson (-7)

Canizares (-7)

Westwood (-7)

D. Johnson (-6)

Barnes (-5)

O'Hair (-5)

Goosen (-5)

Watney (-5)



This is the top ten going into Sunday after Casey's inability to make birdies on the back nine, allowing Louie a comfortable 4 shot lead, as he looks to overtake Louis Stevens from Even Stevens as the most famous Louis since Capt. Lou Albano. Impressive round for Stenson, who is becoming an annual Open contender and Martin Kaymer, who is a threat at every major. As those two were playing there way into contention, others expected to contend at the beginning of the day like Calcavecchia, Hanson and Jimenez, who found themselves on the wrong side of par even as Jimenez was hitting the shot of the tournament with his bank off the wall on the road hole.

Tiger continues his 0 for post affairs and ridiculous apology as his putting led to a 73 today and (-3) for the tourney. It is hard to believe he is going to miss major chances at Pebble Beach and St. Andrews, leaving his chase of Jack in doubt for the first time in memory. Westwood continues his pursuit of a major and today was the same story as he was good, but not good enough and will need great play and luck tomorrow to have any chance.

Dustin Johnson is the top American as his 69 today left him at (-6) one stroke better than fellow young American's Barnes, O'Hair, and Watney. They are all five under and are tied with the only former major winner on the board in Goosen. Dustin Johnson's major play will have people quickly forgetting his final round this year at Pebble Beach, as he looks like a great bet to win multiple majors and surpassing the injured Kim as the best of the next wave of American players who will contend in majors.

This Saturday night leaderboard has the feel of future major leaderboards when the likes of Tiger, Mickelson, Els, Furyk are past their primes and a new breed of US and international names have taken the stage. As a golf fan and not a network program director it is nice to see.

Casey will have the home field advantage, and his front nine dominance of St. Andrews should put even more pressure on Louie, who will look to win a major in only his second made cut in a major. Can the farmer's son hold on to win at the home of golf, or will a more accomplished young player chase him down? I can't wait to find out tomorrow and my only prediction is that it will take a great final round to beat Louie.