2011 Australian Summer of Golf

[CK]

Not sure if this will be of any assistance, but as many know, I follow the golf very closely, and thought this may be of interest for any golf fans for the Australian Open teeing off tomorrow.

Make no mistake, this is a blue chip field - by Australian standards - that has been assembled. The small matter of Tiger Woods playing is complemented by top class US players such as Matt Kuchar, Dustin Johnson, Hunter Mahan, Bubba Watson, and Australians Adam Scott, Jason Day, Robert Allenby, Stuart Appleby and Aaron Baddeley. The field is a real tribute to Australian organisers for its quality and depth.

The first thing to note for people, is that tomorrow will be windy conditions - up to 25km/h in the morning and gusting to over 30 km/h in the afternoon. This will make the opening day very interesting, and will bring the "First round leader" option into play as an attractive proposition. One thing to look at with this option, is the group combinations. For such a windy start, having two players of three really struggling can make it hard for the third to maintain concentration in difficult conditions. Some earlier groupings are combinations that may make it difficult to see really low scores shot in those groups. Don't forget also, that in the first two rounds, groups will tee off from the 1st AND the 10th.

The back nine is very challenging at the Lakes at the best of times: plenty of water to be found if the tee shots are a bit awry, and the wind will really make this more challenging. Players starting off the 10th may find trouble early and lose confidence in being able to dig their way out of it. The front nine is more prevalent to wind, but is more bunker oriented than water, so players can get their way out of this a little easier.

1ST ROUND LEADER:

Keeping this in mind, Nick O'Hern is one of the best players in wind on the pro tour, and has had a couple of blistering starts to tournaments in the last few months. A good group - including course specialist Peter O'Malley, and a 11.50am (NSW time) tee off from the 1st gives plenty of good pointers here to a solid round. The next group, of Adam Scott, Matt Kuchar and John Senden, all play well in the wind, and any of these three could quite easily win the whole tournament. Similarly, Stuart Appleby, teeing off 30 minutes later, likes the breeze also, and with Watney and Kyle Stanley in his group - both very experienced on the US tour, all three should be able to build good starts. Richard Green, teeing off at 12.40 NSW time, has been in very good form on the European tour this year, and should find no real troubles with the conditions. Aaron Townsend, teeing off at 12.55, may find the conditions to his liking around a course he knows well.

If prepared to take an earlier group, on the assumption the wind will actually decrease, not increase over the day, then Jarrod Lyle has had some good starts on the US tour this year without finishing off well, and in the third group overall for the day, should get a good run through early. Bubba Watson, in the same group as Geoff Ogilvy and the very underrated Bill Haas (US), has also shown a penchant for good starts and doesn't mind swirling conditions. Water can be his undoing at times, but if he can turn off the back nine in red figures, has the long hitting game to finish off strongly.Dustin Johnson tees off in the next group and has also proven his mettle in difficult conditions over the years. Peter Senior shouldn't be discounted as a total outsider for an early sound score, we have seen in the past that rain and breeze don't phase the experienced Australian - similar to 2005 US Open champion Michael Campbell, who had a extended wretched period, but has found confidence in the last 6 months with some much better showings. A morning start with David Toms may start him on a good note.

OVERALL

For the overall tournament, with so much class on board, it is one of the most open tournaments in years on the Australian tour. The likes of Day, Scott, Ogilvy, Kuchar, Johnson, Watson, Allenby, Appleby and Woods will be complemented by some very underrated players like Haas, Toms, Greg Chalmers - who has strung together some very sound rounds, Watney, Mahan and a number of solid Australians, make this a very difficult one to narrow down.

Still not convinced that Woods is really ready for this one. The putter is still like a rubber rope and all over the shop, so prepared to go against him. On the other hand, there are some very good ones that are in strong form, and may offer some value.

If he starts well, then Matt Kuchar holds form generally, and is not the sort to drop off quickly. Can dig his way out of trouble well and the course should suit him well. Likewise with Dustin Johnson, but if he is finding the water early, then his confidence can fall a little. Maybe an early nibble pre-tournament on him, and then re-assess after round one. Don't completely discount Bill Haas either - some of his US tour form in the last 12 months in good fields is more than up to winning this at fair each way prices.

Of the Australians, there won't be huge prices on these, but Jason Day, Adam Scott, Geoff Ogilvy should all still be there at the business end, provided they are all within around 7 of the lead after round one. Day is more noted as being able to make up ground quickly, but Scott's second round last week in the HSBC Championship, a 65 sandwiched between two 69's, are an impressive pointer to this. The Steve Williams controversy shouldn't phase the Aussie, whose putting continues to improve with the caddy change also.

For value, look toward Nick O'Hern, Greg Chalmers, James Nitties, Richard Green, Steven Bowditch and Aaron Townsend for your wins, top 10's and top 25's. Nitties will be rueing last week, where he slept in and missed his tee-off time for his US tour card qualifying, so will be aware that he needs a good tournament here for his confidence. Bowditch has hit a very solid streak of form in the US in the last few months and looks ready to capitalise, while Townsend has the ability to quietly build a string of good rounds and creep up the boards.

[MAY-Z]

i put my bets on - bubba watson and o'hern rd 1
haas, johnson and kuchar overall
haas top 20

[Sorry Dude]

got my money on Dustin Johnson and Geoff Ogilvy overall.
Jason Day leading at the end of Rd1.

[Groover]

Just for a bit of interest I have backed a few bolters
Mahal Pearce @ $501
Neven Basic @ $151
Kurt Barnes @ $81
Andrew Evans @ $501
Heath Reed @ $251

[Mop Up]

What was Lyle paying for Rd 1 Leader... Clubhouse leader currently

[overloaded]

I backed John Daly. $201 massive overs. He is very capable on his day.

[overloaded]

btw great preview CK.

Cna you do a day 1 review /preview

thanks

[heater31]

I backed John Daly. $201 massive overs. He is very capable on his day.

Hope you backed him on Sportsbet

[OnSong]

I backed John Daly. $201 massive overs. He is very capable on his day.

Hope you backed him on Sportsbet

Oh dear. Not a happy camper! Classic

[Sorry Dude]

What was Lyle paying for Rd 1 Leader... Clubhouse leader currently

$57 on Sportingbet Oz

[koalacuddles]

Guessing they won't be asking John Daly back again in a hurry.............major dummy spit !!!! PMSL.

[CK]

btw great preview CK.

Cna you do a day 1 review /preview

thanks

No worries, OL

Hopefully some were steered into the tip of Lyle being the round 1 leader in the preview -as Sorry Dude noted, a very good price on offer there.

Day one was a rollercoaster in the afternoon, as predicted, with the winds throwing potentially good scores around. Adam Scott failed to capitalise on the rarest of golfing beasts, the albatross on the par five 8th, finishing at -3 for the day, with Lyle heading the pack at -7.

Nick Watney, however, stormed up the board late in the day to finish the day in equal second on -6, with fellow American Dustin Johnson taking advantage of his early start to finish on the same score before lunch. Veteran Fred Couples' impressive opening round of -5 will need his notoriously bad back to hold up for another three days if he is to make a charge, but he did win a Seniors tour event by eight strokes only a few weeks back. Australians Greg Chalmers and James Nitties - also listed in the preview - toiled quietly away to also sit at -5 in the clubhouse.

The hoped-for charge of Tiger Woods cruised quietly along, with the former world number one posting a -4, along with fellow American Bubba Watson, but a pack of locals sit at -3; including Nick O'Hern, Jason Day and Paul Sheehan, who shared the outright lead early in the morning. Sitting one stroke back are John Senden, Rod Pampling, Geoff Ogilvy and veterans Peter O'Malley and Craig Parry.

The day two forecast should favour afternoon players more, with some showers and 20km/h winds in the morning, but with so many players on good scores, the cut looks to be around +1 if the current scoring holds.

Keep an eye out, therefore, for those who tee off in the afternoon, sitting within six shots or so of the lead. Johnson, Nitties, Watson, Lyle and Ogilvy will be among those in this position. Things are set for an intriguing day two, but the leading contenders should be those at even or better - its difficult to see many outside of that scoring range making a charge.

[Westsider]

I backed John Daly. $201 massive overs. He is very capable on his day.

Bahahah I haven't laughed so hard.

[overloaded]

Tiger HOME

[Brodlach]

Tiger HOME

Keep up the good work

[CK]

If nothing else, any followers of the preview would hopefully have selected Jarrod Lyle as the first round leader at $67, and would have good showings today with Jason Day ($15 originally), Nick O'Hern and Greg Chalmers (both $51 pre-tournament).

[Dutchy]

Took Chalmers @ $70 for $5, have laid off a little to lock in a profit but would still be a nice result. Laid Tiger (had some nervous moments early) and Scott pre tournament, so overall a nice earner.

[mighty_tiger_79]

good hit with Chalmers CK

[Sorry Dude]

PRESIDENTS CUP 2011
The pairings are out for tomorrows 4somes.
Thursday:-
Bubba Watson-Webb Simpson (USA) v Ernie Els (RSA)-Ryo Ishikawa
(JPN) I feel this one could go either way. Both teams having PC 1st timers in the group. The experience of Ernie Els to help the Internationals win this one.

Bill Haas-Nick Watney (USA) v Geoff Ogilvy (AUS)-Charl
Schwartzel (RSA) - If Watney plays to his potential this has the makings of the group of the day. Bill Hass will be the consistent player that he is and put the ball in the right places to set the team up. The Mo (Ogilvy) with his home course knowledge and the impressive Schwartzel should get the win.

Dustin Johnson-Matt Kuchar (USA) v Aaron Baddeley (AUS)-Jason
Day (AUS) IMO Aaron Baddeley was picked for the team by name and not form this year. Jason Day is another of those consistent performers. This one could go either way

Phil Mickelson-Jim Furyk (USA) v Retief Goosen (RSA)-Robert
Allenby (AUS) Phil Mickelson.....That is all.

Hunter Mahan-David Toms (USA) v Kim Kyung-Tae (KOR)-Y.E. Yang
(KOR) I don't know much about Kim Kyung-Tae but Y.E. Yang is all class and will help his fellow countryman bring the win

Tiger Woods-Steve Stricker (USA) v Adam Scott (AUS)-K.J. Choi
(KOR) Tiger Woods found a bit of form in the Aussie Open. If he straightens up off the tee (that is a very small thing to pick on) it could be a good day for the USA. But, in saying that the Internationals have a very strong pair in Scott and Choi. For me, the Internationals should get up.

[CK]

Top preview, SD

For what its worth, I reakon, in order of the matches as you have listed them:

- USA comfortably. Webb Simpson is the form player on the US tour at present, and Watson was pretty solid last week.

- Agree with your assessement on this one - Ogilvy should get the Internationals home

- Would lean toward the Australian pairing. Day and Baddeley should account here.

- Tempted to take the internationals in this one - not sure how Mickelson will go on this course.

- A line ball match, agreed. Toms wasn't too bad last week, Mahan withdrew early. The course set up should suit Yang, and Kim is a rising Asian star. Tough to select, Internationals just.

- Woods and Stricker comfortably for mine in the last game.