Fear of Tiger fading fast

Europeans are making a determined attack on the unrivalled superiority of the Americans.

Arnold Palmer's ceremonial tee off at 7.45 am was delayed by dense fog. But that quickly evaporated, yielding a perfect day. Perfect playing conditions, perfect temperatures, perfect wind conditions.

Lots of red numbers on the board but Tiger's name is not to be found. He has had a steady first half, having narrowly missed at least four birdies.

Hoping to make amends by making eagle on the short par-5 13th (Azalea...for the 1600 azalea bushes lining the hole), when his second shot remarkably did not hold on the green and rolled off leaving him with an extremely dangerous short chip shot, he angrily, viciously slashed at the wind with his club.

Clearly disturbed, he uncharacteristically stubbed the next shot, failing to make the green from five feet away, taking a bogey.

Even Tiger felt the pressure, and hooked his drive on the next, another bogey, and six shots behind the leader. Meanwhile, Justin Rose was floating in the zone after a shaky start, scoring four birdies in a row and adding two more to take the outright lead, overtaking the defending champion.

Following the star grouping of Jeev Singh/Mike Weir (past Masters champion)/ Padraig Harrington (current Open champion), one saw Jeev playing and managing himself admirably, but missing short putts that left him only at level par at the turn.

Daniel Chopra started disastrously but steadied with a string of pars, approaching the short par 5's where birdies are easily possible. Tiger's chip for eagle on the 15th fell into the cup on its last roll, setting off a huge roar.

Was the Tiger back? His nemesis, Michelson is one shot ahead; Sandy Lyle, a past champion is showing great form to be only one shot behind the leader. Can he sustain?

And thus went the shifting sands of fortune.

Tiger, narrowly missed birdies on the 16, 17 and 18th holes, remaining birdieless for the last 34 holes that he has played (although he has two eagles). In interviews, all his fellow competitors, while being secretly delighted, felt that he will be back tomorrow, with a vengeance.

Asked to compare this years conditions with last year, Jeev felt the greens were softer, more receptive but just as fast. Playing just ahead of Tiger, he said that he was able to block the crowds awaiting Tiger out of his mind with his pre-shot routine and thus managed a satisfactory round.

Justin Rose, the co-leader with Trevor Immelman (incidentally, both South African born; their more senior compatriots seen no where), said that only adrenaline flow and the nerves, or lack of them, enabled him to withstand the pressure he was under after his magnificent birdie run.

Last year also, he was the co-leader after the first round. "We'll see what happens in the next three days," he says of his tendency of falling away.

Tiger was clearly unhappy with his performance and, foregoing the pleasure of a cheerful interview under the great oak, went straight to the putting green for practicing short putts of differing speeds under the watchful eye of Hank Haney, his swing coach.

Lee Westwood really should have been in the sole lead. His short eagle putts on thirteen (Azalea) and fifteen (Firethorn) turned away from the cup at the last second.

With Ian Poulter (the loudest dresser on the tour) acing sixteen (Rebud), which left him two behind the leaders at two under, it would seem that the Europeans are making a determined attack on the lately unrivalled superiority of the Americans at winning all the majors on US soil. [Harrington had won the Open last year at Carnoustie].

My predictions appear to be heading for the dustbin as the fear from Tiger evaporates. The stage is set for a most exciting, closely contested, tournament.

Let's see what happens tomorrow!