Open Day One

Knackered. We had a pre-Open celebration last night as the anticipation had just got too much for us. And as we are too busy with the site, we haven't been able to find the time to get up there. First Open I've missed since 2002. But I will actually see more by watching it on telly, but its simply not the same as being there.

Anyway, what a corking start. Tom Watson almost finished the day as clubhouse leader, a mere 32 years after the dual in the sun. What a weird game - a 59 year old can compete against an 18 year old and still come out on top. You'd have got 200- 1 for that, but as it didn't happen je ne regret rien.

The 16th certainly stuck it to a few players - not least Lee Westwood and Tiger. Tiger is often a slow starter, so I don't think he's too badly off the pace: but he needs to slot in a good one tomorrow or it could quickly get away from him. And the same goes for Poults. And some. Come on Poults, let's be having you.

Casey looked all set to go major on the course, and the touch-paper was well lit, only to be slightly dampened by the 18th. But he's still in position - just needs to get the putter working full-time.

I've had all day in front of the TV, but I've just worked out why there are no highlights tonight - apparently Setanta had the highlights rights and now they have gone under there hasn't been a new buyer - and so no highlights. Come on people, sort yourselves out.

And so to bed - I'm sad so will probably be thinking of Retief's bunker shot, which had to be shot of the day.

But the final word lies with Miguel AngelJimenez, the one and only wine drinking, cigar chomping Spanish golf maestro. His 64 is a record equalling first round for The Open, and he dedicated it to Seve. Of course Miguel doesn't have a website - not his style at all. But he's so unflappable that I think he could be in the mix on Sunday.

JohnD