The 145th Open was always going to be interesting, no other major has such a draw bias as The Open, with the weather In Scotland as much a decider of the winner as the players are. The first round saw calm conditions, with the morning starters believed to have the best of the conditions, with winds behind them on the front 9 meaning many player drove the par 4s in one, for a low scoring front 9. However the same wind created havoc for the morning starters back 9, making it a fight to hold onto the score made on the front.
The afternoon starters didn't get the assist from the wind on the front 9, but also didn't have the hindrance from the wind on the back 9 either.
This was to be Colin Montgomeries last Open at his home course of Royal Troon, and maybe his last Open ever, as his success on the Senior Tour, winning 3 majors so far, far outweighs his risk to get involved with the young guns. He hit the opening tee shot of the tournament, a huge honour, but as expected never really got close to winning a championship that has eluded him many times.
This years majors is almost a whos who of players deemed too good to have never won a major so far, with Dustin Johnson finishing 2nd at the US Open and also The Open previously and Henrik Stenson having 7 top 5 finishes so far in majors. However just like Johnson at the US Open, Stenson went against most peoples opinion he falters as he reaches the finish line, following both bogeys of his final round with runs of birdies that helped him cruise to victory in the end over runner up Phil Mickelson, a winner of multiple majors, a tough cookie to beat.
Talking about bogeys, Stenson's ability to only have 6 bogeys all week shows his improved mental capabilities, whereas many players recorded 6 if not more bogeys in one round.
Next up is the last major of the year, the USPGA Championship at Baltusrol Golf Club located in Springfield, New Jersey in the USA. It will be like chalk to The Opens cheese. Being a test of the best players in a shootout, rather than tempting fate of the cruel mistress that is the Scottish weather.