Scot Watch Update

The tournament kicks off and some Scots are among the early starters.

Fergus Bisset
By
published

Thursday 9.45AM

Here are my first observations of the day:

- The weather is decidedly Scottish today: Grey, drizzly and not very warm.

- I heard Monty on the radio on the way to the course. He announced he?s going to play in a kilt on Sunday in an effort to counteract Tiger?s red shirt. I just hope he?s still here on Sunday.

- Remaining with Monty, I just watched him play the first. He appeared on the tee to rapturous applause, struck a majestic three wood down the middle, followed it up with a glorious approach to three feet and then missed the putt convincingly.

- Paul Lawrie, the last man to win the Open at Carnoustie is playing with Tiger Woods and Justin Rose. The dreek conditions will suit the gritty Aberdonian. He?s level through three.

- Scott Drummond started promisingly but an eight at the sixth stopped him in his tracks somewhat.

- Ross Bain, who very few people have heard of, is just one over par.

- I spotted a man with a Diet Irn Bru umbrella. The concept of Diet Irn Bru is altogether inappropriate.

Fergus Bisset
Fergus Bisset
Contributing Editor

Fergus is Golf Monthly's resident expert on the history of the game and has written extensively on that subject. He has also worked with Golf Monthly to produce a podcast series. Called 18 Majors: The Golf History Show it offers new and in-depth perspectives on some of the most important moments in golf's long history. You can find all the details about it here.

He is a golf obsessive and 1-handicapper. Growing up in the North East of Scotland, golf runs through his veins and his passion for the sport was bolstered during his time at St Andrews university studying history. He went on to earn a post graduate diploma from the London School of Journalism. Fergus has worked for Golf Monthly since 2004 and has written two books on the game; "Great Golf Debates" together with Jezz Ellwood of Golf Monthly and the history section of "The Ultimate Golf Book" together with Neil Tappin , also of Golf Monthly.

Fergus once shanked a ball from just over Granny Clark's Wynd on the 18th of the Old Course that struck the St Andrews Golf Club and rebounded into the Valley of Sin, from where he saved par. Who says there's no golfing god?

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