Snedeker reminds Aussies of major difficulty

A deluge of overnight rain saw Royal Lytham’s bunkers fill with water and the course play much more like a regular ol’ US PGA Tour course than the links style golf we usually expect of an Open Championship.

It would be unfair to say any Australian golf fans got ahead of themselves after Adam Scott’s scorching opening round, but it was somewhat grounding to see American Brandt Snedeker match Scott’s course record 6-under 64 and take a one shot lead as we head into the weekend.

Snedeker’s 6-under round belied his Open experience where he has not made the cut in his previous three attempts. For the second straight day, Snedeker avoided every one of the 206 bunkers on the golf course and, not coincidentally, avoided any bogies too.

Snedeker’s round, along with Tiger Woods lurking in third place was a joy to watch and a nice reminder of how difficult it can be to win a major golf tournament. Sometimes, it can be handed to you on a plate while other times, you can play some of your best golf – and someone else comes along and does it just that little bit better.

The weekend awaits and while I remain as optimistic as ever, Scott needs to play as well as he has the previous two days to be in with a shot of winning the Claret Jug. That may be easily enough to win, or not enough. Nothing is guaranteed at the majors.