Swings of fortune

By Dave Tindall Last updated: 16th July 2010

Imagine if Rory McIlroy had been told this before the Open started. You'll shoot 63 on day one but finish day two 11 shots off the lead.

It would sound like a stupid nightmare he'd had between the two rounds but, in truth, it's stone cold reality.

And it means, the young Northern Irishman still hasn't shot in the 70s at St Andrews. Although carding an 80 was not the way he would have wanted to keep the streak alive.

But that's Open weather for you. Get on the wrong side of the draw or be a little off with your game when the winds really gust and these ancient courses which look there for the taking on one day look ferocious beasts on the next.

So from tournament favourite at the start of play, young Rory is now a 50/1 shot.

Of course he wasn't the only one to suffer.

Almost as extraordinary was the demise of Ernie Els. The Big Easy has the most consistent Open record of the modern era but after being buffeted around in the afternoon wind he walked off the course in an alien position. For the first time in his pro career, Els will have to watch the final two rounds on TV after missing the cut.

It's been a strange day all round really.

During the hour and a bit weather delay when the players took shelter near a couple of mini-buses near the fifth fairway I ended up quoting Monty Python with Paul Goydos. Bizarre.

I was following my 150/1 tip Ryan Moore before the break in play and he would later come home in 46. From Life of Brian to strife of Ryan.

David Duval and Tim Petrovic were part of the gaggle and they must have been delighted that Goydos was there to play court jester and help pass the time. He's a very funny guy and a great talker. And, although he missed the cut here, don't forget that last week he shot a magical 59.

Another player who once shot in the 50s is our leader Louis Oosthuizen.

The South African did it on his home course in South Africa but, special though that stunning 57 was, surely it doesn't compare to his two rounds here.

Shooting 65-67 to card 12-under in an Open is fantastic at any time - especially when no-one can get within five strokes of it.

Yes, he may have had a favourable draw but he's hit 30 of 32 fairways this week, is ranked the third best putter and is playing out of his skin.

For now it appears he's got the tournament by the scruff of the neck and the bookies think so too, making him the clear favourite.

But this is turning into such a topsy-turvy Open that it's the ultimate guessing game to decide what happens next.

A three-shot lead for 1989 Open winner Mark Calcavecchia on Saturday night? A ridiculous charge from an early starter putting them into a tie at the top? Louis doing a Rory and shooting 80 in round three? Tiger making us think it's 2000/2005 again by roaring five clear?

Now, let's go and check that weather forecast.

Dave Tindall