Young McIllroy holds after round 1 at the 2010 UBS Hong Kong Open

Rory McIllroy finished the first round at -7, just one stroke behind the leader Mark Brown (in photo to the left), in the 2010 UBS Hong Kong Open. 8 birdies and just one bogey will look good on the card anytime! Current leader Mark Brown sits at -8, 62.

This week's tourney is being played at the Hong Kong Golf Club in New Territories, Hong Kong. Greg Bourdy' the defending champion, sits in a tie for 12th place after round one with a -4  66 on his card.

Graeme McDowel playing against his Ryder Cup teammate McIllroy, sits in a tie for 6th place with a -5  65 carded for the opening round. Jeev Milkha Singh is tied with McIllroy in 2nd place, followed by Simon Dyson and Soren Hansen in 4th.

And then there's Big John, as in John Daly! As most notice him now as much thinner and always with bright loud golf slacks on; he continues to have difficulty in his game. He's had an year that's been hampered with a bad shoulder that has required him to have it "popped back" into place at least 5 times! Big John feels he's made more cuts this year than possibly ever before, but he's been unable to bring his game on the weekend when it matters. After dropping the 100 lbs, he currently weighs in at approx 195. And he'll be the first to state that it's been a hard adjustement, to learn to play with a much smaller physique. He blames his putting on the fact that he can no longer rest his elbows on his "love handles". Come on John, Really?

With only 3 tourneys left on the European Tour, it will end with the South African Open Dec. 16-19th. After this week's Open in Hong Kong, the men will head to the Dubai World Championship Presented by DP World and then onto the Alfred Dunhill Championship at Leopard Creek County Club.

I'm going to say there are a couple of guys to watch that may take the last 3 wins of the 2010 season on the European Tour; Rory McIllroy can capture the trophy this week if he can remain consistent and not let the weekend nerves affect him. He's had 2  career wins, with this years Quail Hollow Championship. He's had 4 missed cuts out of the 24 events he's played thus far. While Rory has recently said he would forego his 2011 PGA Tour Card, he will remain strong on the European Tour while staying closer to home. This kid is going to break through and stay a tough contender, it's just a matter of when.

I then feel that Ian Poulter is going to make a charge in Dubai and Anders Hansen will capture one. Ian has had 10 career wins between the tours including just one in 2010.
Anders has had 3 career wins, with the last being in 2009 at the Joburg Open on the European Tour. He's had 2 top ten finishes and 5 missed cuts out of the 26 events played.



Whether my predictions will hold true, only time will tell.

Televised times are 12:00 am - 4:00 am ET throughout the tourney. So, set your DVR's or watch for replays on the Golf Channel.

Now, Go Hit Some Balls...............