INSIDE TRACK – OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

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Harry ‘The Hat’ Emanuel looks ahead to Friday’s second round of the Open Championship at Carnoustie.

On the first day of the Open at Carnoustie the conditions were relatively benign with a light north/north easterly breeze.
It was colder and slightly windier for the morning starters but good scoring was still possible. K.J Choi who posted a 69 in the morning described conditions as ‘very fair’.
The rain on Wednesday and Thursday morning softened up the course considerably and players were able to hold their approach shots on many of the greens.
What can we expect today? At 6.30 this morning conditions are perfect for scoring with virtually no wind. The forecast is for 5 mph winds rising to 10 mph by 10.00 am.
Unfortunately for the late starters the wind is predicted to blow at 18 mph with gusts upto 22 mph.
The front nine plays over a shot easier compared to par than the back nine and expect that differential to increase today.
The pin has been moved to the back left on the third so players will not be spinning the ball back into the burn and should have more birdie opportunities on the back plateau.
The sixth will continue to play downwind making Hogan’s Alley a very simple par five.
Yesterday Paul Lawrie recorded the longest drive at 369 yards and Tiger Woods who made an eagle had only a seven iron for his second shot.
With the pin back right there will not be so many birdies but it should continue to yield good scores.
The wind is due to blow from the North East which makes holes 10, 15, 16 and 18 very tough into the wind.
Don’t expect players to pull away from the field on the back nine and we will see some spectacular train wrecks on the closing holes this afternoon.

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