The 2011 Australian Open is not the biggest golf tournament in the world, but all of the big names are playing this week at The Lakes Golf Course in Sydney, Australia. The opening round featured blustery weather, a John Daly outburst and Australian native Jarrod Lyle atop the leaderboard with Dustin Watson, Nick Watney and Tiger Woods not far behind.
Australian Open 2011: Jarrod Lyle Leads, Tiger Woods Close And John Daly Melted Down
Lyle, a seven-year pro from Queensland, finished Thursday’s opening round by shooting a seven-under 65 that included five birdies and an eagle on the 14th hole. Americans Dustin Johnson and Nick Watney are tied for second at six-under while Tiger Woods finished just a few strokes out of the lead after shooting a four-under that didn’t include a single bogey.
The golfer who made the biggest news after opening day, however, didn’t even make the leaderboard. John Daly, the always controversial golfer, had yet another meltdown in Australia -- this one causing some unfortunate backlash according to the official site for the PGA of Australia.
Furious Australian Open tournament director Trevor Herden has blasted John Daly as 'unprofessional' and told him to stay away from future tournaments after the controversial American stormed off the course and returned to his hotel midway through the first round on Thursday.
Daly's troubles began on the 10th when he hit the wrong ball from the bunker, invoking an automatic two-stroke penalty. The two-time major winner then reached the 11th and proceeded to put 'six or seven' balls in the water before grabbing his young son and heading for the exit after telling his playing partners 'I'm off'.
The full 2011 Australian Open Leaderboard is included here. For more golf coverage, be sure to check Waggle Room as well as SB Nation’s golf hub.
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