Posted by Jason Sobel
Tough day for the throng of journalists over at Royal Liverpool. Sometimes there's simply nothing to write about and other times there's just way too much. Count Thursday's opening round of the 135th Open Championship among the latter category.
Let's see, there's defending champion Tiger Woods, who kept driver in the bag for all but one hole en route to shooting a 5-under 67. Couple that with his missed cut at last month's U.S. Open following his return to golf after his father Earl's death -- not to mention all of the hubbub and hullabaloo surrounding his pairing with supposed rival Nick Faldo -- and the Tiger Times could be its own daily tabloid.
If a Woods story doesn't tickle your fancy, just pick your favorite big name on the leaderboard and start scribbling out 800 words. Ernie Els? Still trying to regain his form after last season's knee surgery; shot a 4-under 68. Phil Mickelson? Trying to prove the Winged Foot final-hole debacle is behind; he's one shot farther back. David Duval? On the fifth anniversary of his one and only major victory, he's right in the mix at 2-under 70.
Maybe you want to dig even deeper, write about the guys who weren't necessarily on the radar screen entering this week, but would make for great copy if they could hang around for three more days. Tom Lehman fits the bill, as the U.S. Ryder Cup captain finds himself in a share of seventh place. Same goes for Fred Couples, whose back was hurting so badly a week ago, he had to withdraw from the Scottish Open, but rebounded to shoot 2-under 70. And how about Seve Ballesteros? After reportedly duck-hooking his way through a few practice rounds, Severiano posted a well-above-his-means 74.
Seeking something off the beaten path? A story being overlooked by the mainstream media, perhaps? Try Greg Owen, still reeling from the 71st hole three-putt from three feet at Bay Hill. Or Anthony Wall, a journeyman Englishman who says he's not that surprised to be playing well. Or Marcus Fraser, who, uh ... well, actually I believe I don't know one thing about Fraser, except for the fact that, like seemingly all breakout players these days, he's Australian. Each of these guys is one shot back after shooting 67 on Thursday.
Which brings us to the biggest little story of the day, and one that may be slipping through the cracks with so many other fine allegories abound. Let's not forget about the guy who's actually leading the tournament, as Graeme McDowell shot a 6-under 66 to claim sole possession atop the leaderboard entering the second round.
Still a week shy of his 27th birthday, McDowell carded six birdies in his bogey-free opening round. He's a Northern Ireland native who attended the University of Alabama-Birmingham and is playing his first full season on the PGA Tour, but is currently mired in 149th on the money list with seven missed cuts in 12 starts.
That's all well and good, but as a cynic may ask, "Where's the story?" Well, right here: It seems McDowell was struggling a bit with his swing when he walked into a local pub on Wednesday night. Upon striking up a conversation with a stranger, McDowell was given a swing tip that he leaned on throughout his opening round.
"If you're watching," McDowell said to his new coach after the round, "I'll see you on the range at 7 o'clock in the morning."
Can you imagine the British Open champion lifting the Claret Jug over his head on Sunday evening and thanking his family, his friends and ... the guy at the local pub? Now that would be a story worth writing.
