Aug9 USPGA Brier

Video Clip: Marcus Brier on his first round 69…

There be skipping in the streets of Vienna tonight, because Markus Brier was the early leader at the 89th PGA Championship in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The 39-year-old veteran of the European Tour, who has two European Tour victories to his name [2006 BA-Ca Open and the 2007 Volvo China Open] made mincemeat of those predicting that high scores would match the high temperatures in the final major of the year. He birdied his first hole (the 10th) and followed it with birdies at the 13th 17th and 3rd.

Brier’s career has been one of slow and steady improvement, with him winning first on the Challenge Tour in 2002, then winning for the first time on the European Tour in 2006 (in Austria) and then winning for the first time on the European Tour outside his country this year in Shanghai.

Indeed, it was a dream start for Europe, with Brier, Colin Montgomerie and Sergio Garcia, all at the top of the leaderboard for much of the morning. Monty had three consecutive birdies from his third hole (the 12th) while Garcia, playing in the group in front of Monty, birdied three consecutive holes from his 2nd (the 11th).
It was especially pleasing to see the Spaniard up there, after his catastrophe at Carnoustie. What will be fascinating is to see how he reacts to that experience, if he can put himself in contention on the back-nine on Sunday.

Tiger Woods lurks menacingly, just behind the leaders, playing his first nine holes (10th – 18th) in 2-under-par. The ball is flying so far in this heat, that Tiger fairway woods and even irons off the tee (just as he did at Hoylake in the Open a year ago). Playing well within himself, he looked in complete control, and if he hadn’t missed a string of makeable putts, he was on course for a very low score.

The crowds who bravely turned out in the intense heat were delighted to see big-man and past champion of this event in 1991, John Daly, also on 3-under par after his first nine holes.

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