Summer is here. Sort of. Looking at the calendar, it's clear that the Summer is here. Looking out of the window it's anyone's guess what season it is. Looking at my attire at this time of the year, you might think that I think that it's Summer. Looking at my Irish(ish) complexion you would be forgiven for thinking otherwise.
Similarly to this, after watching Jason Day on Friday, one could be forgiven for not remembering that he is World Number One. Well, maybe not if you watched him. Maybe if you jut looked at his score. Actually I'm taking that back. I'm not forgiving you for that.
How could you think that?
Jason absolutely played his heart out to make it round in one under. He couldn't keep his long game under control, stating he felt he had lost some confidence during the round, but his on fire short game saved him from certain doom. Missing things left and right early Jason had me scared. His score fluctuated up and down throughout the day and for every birdie he made he seemed to give a shot right back. I wondered what could have been going on. Not that I bet on it, but I supremely fancied him to be 2nd round leader.
He'd had a good first day, and usually suits an early tee time on a Friday. These are usually preferable, better conditions, cooler, less wind, and comfortable after the first round. It wasn't to be for Jason and he managed a non exciting round and could muster only one under. But I am not worried for the world number one. Saturday is moving day, and Day is a moving day superhero. There are already low scores out there, and it won't take much for Jason to get on a roll and shoot eight or nine under today.
I don't see Steele homing in today and scoring low, but Kuchar could continue to play solid golf and shoot six under again. Unless someone comes and starts creaming up the leaderboard I imagine the score needed for the 54 hole lead will be 17 or 18 under.
World numbers two and three both had spirited days yesterday and both are in touching distance.
Dustin Johnson failed to capitalise on his first round success and shot a stagnant 71. This is the same that Day shot yesterday, but Dustin was consistently in the fairway and was not making moves. I expect this of Dustin, but not until Sunday at least. I expect that he might have a crusher of a day today, be right in contention, and struggle tomorrow. Dustin lacks that Sunday supremacy at the moment, and just needs a bit of confidence to get some murderous killer instinct back.
I will be rooting for Kuchar. I've backed Kuch the last two weeks running and he has returned place dividends and nothing. He is a consummate professional and does what experienced pros do. He finds fairways and greens and avoids three putts.
Defending champ Lingmerth hasn't really got anything going yet and everyone's favourite Dane, Soren Kjeldsen is currently -8 (I've had to edit this number twice now! T1 for Soren) for his day.
Frys.com winner Grillo moved up the leaderboard yesterday and will be playing alongside bomber Gary Woodland. Don't back either of those chaps.
Local boy Harold Varner III is in fine form and is excited to play here. Zac Blair, who narrowly missed the play off with Snedeker and Gomez earlier this year is also putting in a performance here. Memorial is set for a ballistic Saturday Sunday Summer finish and watching will be a roller coaster for sure.
A quick note European-side. If you are thinking about having a bet on this for tomorrow, be prepared to get on the lump to slump train. Matty Fitz (my boy) is looking imperious with a five shot lead. He's 3/8 with some decimal bookie and 1/3 anywhere with a name you'd recognise.
Defending champ Noren is in T2 with Colsaerts which is probably a pair of fairly intimidating names to have behind you, but Fitzy is The British Masters Champ and will have no problem tomorrow.
Probably.
There is a whole bunch of water around that course which could spell trouble, Seems unlikely though.
If you want some value though, put a little tick by Andrew Johnston. The Spanish Open winner is 66s going in to the final day, Bet365 are actually 1/3 the odds for him to make the top 2 which is my value pick for the day,
Go away and watch the golf now.
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