The PGA Tour is back at Congresional Conutry Club and the pros are saying it is harder than it was for the US Open.  That is not really fair for the USGA, they had to deal with a lot of rain (softens up the greens), hot weather (thins out the rough) and that Irish kid that was en fuego for four days roughly one year ago.

Only 22 players able to best par out for the first round of the AT&T National.  Bo Van Pelt played a perfect bogey free round of 4 under par 67.  Bo’s round looked more like a US Open round than a regular PGA Tour event round, as we made par save after par save.  Vijay Singh also had a great first round 68 and he even missed a few short ones (inside of 10 feet).  Vijay has always had a little trouble with putting but put a new bag in play this week, and he is very happy with it so far.  I like his philosphy though…“My theory was if I get it close enough I don’t need to putt,” Singh said. “It doesn’t work after a while.”  I know how you feel Vijay, I know how you feel.

The greens were treacherous in the opening round. So fast and so firm that you could park cars on the greens overnight and there would be no tread marks in the morning (said one reporter from PGATour.com). It will be interesting to see if water is applied as the tournament progresses. The bentgrass greens will still bake out in the afternoon heat but an overnight soaking would delay the process.

Big Bad Beau Hossler is going to have some stories to tell when he returns to high school for his senior year. First he plays in the U.S. Open at The Olympic Club and now at the  AT&T National. The teenager can move the golf ball off the tee, he’s second in the tournament in driving distance at 321 yards. Hossler is also guilty of three-putts, having three on Thursday while shooting even-par 71. Three three putts and still managed an even par 71, this kid is good, and he is going to be great when he hits 19 or 20 (which is a few years off).

Jim Furyk should be a man to watch this week, as his caddie Fluff is a member at Congressional.  Lets see if old Fluff can give Jimmy Five Hour some inside tips that will help him rebound after his heart breaking last few holes of the US Open.