Young tigers on the prowl at The Open
Teeing up alongside the world’s golfing stars on the Old Course at St Andrews are nine amateurs. Jordan Niebrugge, a young, 21-year old American amateur, opened his first championship with an incredible 67. His score of five-under par is good enough for a share of 8th place with Kevin Na (USA) and Charles Schwartzel (RSA).
Should you be wondering whatever happened to the other 21-year old Jordan, the young genius of a golfer from Texas who has already won two Major titles this year and is hot favourite to win The Open? Never fear, Jordan Spieth is very near.
Spieth, the world number two, also shot a 67 on day one for a share of 8th place, just two strokes behind Dustin Johnson. The first scores posted in the clubhouse are traditionally shown higher on the digital scoreboard, hence Spieth’s name and score appear on page two together with the 67 of South African Louis Oosthuizen, Open Champion at St Andrews in 2010.
It was very interesting to hear Dustin Johnson talk about his US Open defeat by Jordan Spieth last month after shooting his 65 at St Andrews. “It wasn’t my time”, he calmly concluded.
Apparently this isn’t Tiger’s time either. The three times Open Champion, who has already won twice at St Andrews, had a soul destroying opening round. It was distressing for his fans to watch too. Tiger seems more intent to tear himself apart than the golf course that he’s playing on. The former world number one carded a 76 (4-over par) – his worst professional round at the Old Course ever for a share of 139th spot with Tom Watson and a few others. If only we could turn back time …
Wendy Hoad
Photograph: Jordan Spieth