The weathermen got it right, for a change, and the wind and rain arrived on Scotland's west coast early this morning which just happens to be where Royal Troon is located.
The wind switched from Thursday's NE to from the south so after getting used to playing the first six holes directly downwind the players were suddenly playing the opening stretch into and at times across the wind which as predicted is having an adverse effect on the scoring
However the overnight (EST) story is that Phil Mickelson maintained his lead and set the clubhouse target at -10 after a gutsy 69, then I enjoyed the fact he held his post game interview by the clubhouse, telling the media "I just wanted you guys to have some idea what the weather is like outside " !!
The rain will ease off with an increased wind for the big boys, Rory, Jason, Jordan and Rickie are all in the afternoon wave, and don't forget Bubba.
So Mickelson's 63 69 -10 is the target, nearly matched by my pick for the week, Henrik Stenson who shot a brilliant -6 65 to trail by just a shot at -9. Søren Kjeldsen who won the Irish Open in similar conditions last season had a bogey-free 68 to get to -7.
Stenson has had the round of the day so far making three straight birdies from the third and adding another on the seventh. He dropped a shot on the ninth to get out in 33 but further birdies on the tenth and 13th and 16th brought him home in 32 for the 65 which will be tough to beat in the afternoon conditions, although they are now predicting a dry spell later in their evening.
Bryan Angus
The wind switched from Thursday's NE to from the south so after getting used to playing the first six holes directly downwind the players were suddenly playing the opening stretch into and at times across the wind which as predicted is having an adverse effect on the scoring
However the overnight (EST) story is that Phil Mickelson maintained his lead and set the clubhouse target at -10 after a gutsy 69, then I enjoyed the fact he held his post game interview by the clubhouse, telling the media "I just wanted you guys to have some idea what the weather is like outside " !!
The rain will ease off with an increased wind for the big boys, Rory, Jason, Jordan and Rickie are all in the afternoon wave, and don't forget Bubba.
So Mickelson's 63 69 -10 is the target, nearly matched by my pick for the week, Henrik Stenson who shot a brilliant -6 65 to trail by just a shot at -9. Søren Kjeldsen who won the Irish Open in similar conditions last season had a bogey-free 68 to get to -7.
Stenson has had the round of the day so far making three straight birdies from the third and adding another on the seventh. He dropped a shot on the ninth to get out in 33 but further birdies on the tenth and 13th and 16th brought him home in 32 for the 65 which will be tough to beat in the afternoon conditions, although they are now predicting a dry spell later in their evening.
Bryan Angus
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