Johan Edfors Grabs The Lead After Round One in Andalucia

Johan Edfors shot a 5-under 65 to grab a part of the five way tie for the lead after round one at the Open de Andalucia and he’s now the betting favourite at (12-1).

Despite being the world’s 137th ranked player, Edfors has won three times on the European Tour over his 13 year pro career, so he’s got the experience and, apparently this week, has the game to figure into the conversation.

The Swede hasn’t won since 2006, a year where he won all three of his career titles, but he’s already posted a top-10 this season, a 6th at the Volvo Golf Champions at the end of January.

Edfors also had a very solid 2010 where he made the top-10 four times with his best finish coming at the Vivendi Cup where he finished 2nd to John Parry.

If he can continue the good play he showed on the back nine Thursday, Edfors should stay at or near the top of the leaderboard heading to the weekend.

Second to Edfors is European Tour veteran Robert Rock who also opened with a 65, but unlike Edfors who made four birdies on the back Rock used a five birdie front side to get himself into top spot.

Rock looks to have his game well in order as he missed only four greens on Thursday and, furthermore, made it up and down to save par all but once in his opening round.

With a less than illustrious field and a strong start by Rock, it seems logical he’s second to Edfors at (14-1).

Third in the lines is Soren Kjeldsen who is not in the five way tie at the top, but is two back of the lead after a 67 and it seems he’s been given some faith despite the fact he hasn’t had a notable result this season and his last top-10 on Tour came in October of last year.

Regardless of a shaky history in recent years, he’s being sent to the second round at (16-1).

Once again the long odds of Colin Montgomerie stand out as the Scotsman finds himself at the bottom of the betting board at (200-1) even though he shot even par on Thursday.

Yes, he’s seven back and, yes, he hasn’t won in years.  Perhaps, this column is a bit sentimental touting Montgomerie for the second straight day, but (200-1) is really long odds for a player who could, barring a shot here or there, have multiple major titles.

You don't hit anything on the backswing, so why rush it      - Doug Ford