Strong Start for Tiger

Tiger Woods continued his impressive recent form as he produced a solid opening round of 69 on day one of the US Open in San Francisco, three shots behind leader, Michael Thompson.

The world number four looked in great shape, going into the tournament, following his recent victory at Memorial, and he continued to prove that he is back to his best with a promising opening round.

While playing partners, Phil Mickelson and Bubba Watson, both struggled on their opening rounds, Woods looked in control of every area of his game and is very capable of going all the way this weekend.

The 36-year old is looking to win his first Major since his US Open victory of 2008, knowing a win this weekend would take his tally to 15, just three short of Jack Nicklaus’ record.

After admitting that he was pleased with his round of 69, Woods revealed the playing conditions had proven very different to how the players had expected them to be.

“I played well - I felt like I had control of my game all day and stuck to my game plan. I was very pleased with every facet of my game and I stayed very patient.

“We knew it was going to be quick, but we didn't think it was going to happen overnight. I was really, really surprised how much it changed – the whole place changed and you had to make adjustments.”

This opening round from Tiger will only go further to convince many that the former world number one is on his way back to the top of the sport.

There is still plenty of golf to be played at Olympic, this weekend, however, and Tiger will have to really produce the goods to play himself into contention, come Sunday.

Woods has long been the favourite to triumph in San Francisco, according to the US Open 2012 odds on Betfair.

Visit http://betting.betfair.com/golf/golf-events/british-open/ for more information on the golf calendar, including the next Major on the schedule – the Open Championship.

NFL: Browns look to rookies

If there is one side whose draft picks are going to come under more scrutiny than any other team then it is the Cleveland Browns. With three picks in the first 37 in the draft you can expect them to be relying heavily on their rookies this season.

Fast forward to Week 1 of the upcoming regular season and many who bet on NFL will are anticipating a scenario where there could be as many as six rookie players in the Browns’ starting 22.

The obvious starters for the Browns are the overall number three pick Trent Richardson, who is destined to be the starting running-back in Cleveland, and it looks like that their other first-round pick quarterback, Brandon Weedon will start, despite denials from GM Tom Heckert and team president Mike Holmgren.

Of their top three picks, that just leaves Mitchell Schwartz and, although he’s going to have to adjust to the power and pace of the pro game, he looks as though he could well adapt.

There is no doubt that the Browns are rebuilding - they have had to - but whilst it will be a challenge to win with these rookies from the start of the season, the Bengals proved last season that you can win with rookie-led teams and make the post-season.

The other rookies that could make the Browns starting line-up didn’t figure so highly in the draft, but remember that there are often some hidden gems way down the list, and the other three that could start are certainly not lacking in talent.

Third-round pick John Hughes looks a versatile sort. and it’s not beyond the realms of possibility that fourth-rounder Travis Benjamin could see some action at wide-receiver - a position the Browns hardly have strength in depth in.

Fellow fourth-rounder Michael Johnson could well complete the sextet of rookie starters in place of the likely-to-be-suspended outside linebacker Scott Fujita.

The Browns are 13 years into the re-birth of their franchise and much of the responsibility of leading this year’s regeneration programme, and defying NFL betting odds, will fall on the shoulders of the rookie class of 2012.

Norwich promise Hughton funds

Norwich chief executive David McNally has confirmed the club’s new management have been promised enough financial assistance in order to maintain their place in the Premier League. New manager Chris Hughton replaced the Aston Villa-bound Paul Lambert, and has now been promised funds with which to stamp his mark over his new squad.

The former Newcastle and Birmingham manager has arrived at the club with the backing of the majority of Norwich fans, who were keen to move on from the shock exit of Lambert. The Scot lead the club to back-to-back promotions into the Premier League, and his departure has left a bitter taste in many Norwich fans’ mouths.

While Hughton will have a tough job to fill the sizable shoes left by Lambert, although, the new manager will be able to spend money in assembling a squad cable of maintaining top-flight football for the Canaries.

"In Norwich City terms there's more financial freedom for the manager than there's ever been," chief executive David McNally confirmed.

“If we can create spare cash flows, the manager gets that. He's got a decent payroll budget and transfer budget.”

"Chris has got our commitment that if any player leaves the club for money, he will get that additionally," added McNally.

Many a club has struggled to live up to first-season success in the Premier League, but there has been plenty of support from inside the game to back Hughton as the right man to lead the club to where they want to be. His record in the game is certainly encouraging, and on paper the match looks to be a perfect one.

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