Championship News - Scot Watch - Friday
Friday 20th July 2007
By Fergus Bisset
Sandy Lyle is still in contention. I'd almost forgotten about the spectacle wearing man from Shropshire but he knocked it round yesterday in a highly respectable 73. He's currently out on the course again and is one over par through 12 holes.
Verdict: There's still a chance he could lead the Open at the half way stage.
Colin Montgomerie's putting let him down in his round of 73. It was all too predictable. The big man had already earmarked the putter as the main obstacle between him and Open glory. “Two over is no disaster, but I felt I deserved a few less,” he said.
Verdict: Not out of it but I fear he's talking himself out of it, worrying about the putter.
1999 Open champion Paul Lawrie also took 73 blows yesterday and he too felt hard done by. “I didn't get what I deserved,” he said. “I didn't play too badly.” The Aberdonian has to deal with the circus accompanying Tiger Woods for the first two rounds. Being paired with the world number one is always tough.
Verdict: If he makes the cut he'll feel liberated away from Tiger over the weekend and could move up the field.
Alastair Forsyth is top Scot after round one. He was out towards the end of the field but came in with an impressive round of 70. He made only two bogeys and finished strongly with four pars. He's just about to start his second round and will hope to build on his good start.
Verdict: Clearly playing solidly, the Glaswegian has a chance to make real progress today.
Scott Drummond had a bit of a shocker. His round included an 8 at the 6th. He compounded his problems by taking four bogeys in the last six holes.
Verdict: Scott will have a nice weekend taking the dogs for a walk and doing the garden.
US Amateur champion Richie Ramsay scored a mediocre 76. He's currently on course and is sitting at six over.
Verdict: Will need a strong finish to this round to make the cut.
Nobody's heard of Ross Bain and Doug McGuigan but they're two over and six over respectively.
Verdict: Bain will make the cut if he puts in a solid round today. McGuigan will spend Saturday go-karting and Sunday reading a good book.
History and Records
Scot Watch - Friday
After one and a bit rounds of the 136th Open Championship the home players are experiencing...
