BEST OF BIRKDALE

SHOT OF THE DAY

CHARLEY HOFFMAN didn’t strike a very convincing first blow of his opening round, almost going out of bounds. However, in a remarkable recovery from a patch of rough where you could lose a leg, never mind a ball, he sent his second shot arcing beautifully through the air and, after a couple of hops and a roll, into the hole for an eagle.

LIFE-CHANGING ROUND OF THE DAY

YOUNG American amateur Maverick McNealy (above), who emulated most of Tiger Woods’ achievements in his college career at Stanford, arrived in two minds about turning pro or taking up a career in business. An opening 78 in the worst of the weather might have helped him decide. Who needs to get up at 5am just to be humiliated in front of their peers? The City it is, then. Oh, hang on!

TREND OF THE DAY

THE Yanks are coming. Hang on, they’re already here. In numbers. Check out that leaderboard, bro. Nothin’ but Stars and Stripes.