The Genworth Statistics showed that Carnoustie played by far the hardest of the three courses over the first round, on average nearly three shots harder than Kingsbarns and more than four shots harder than St Andrews.

• Branden Grace hit 12 of 14 fairways, 18 out of 18 greens, and took just 26 putts in his new course record round of 60 at Kingsbarns.
• Keith Horne was the only player in the field to hit every fairway, but the best driver award goes to Colin Montgomerie and Grégory Havret, both hitting 13 of 15 fairways at Carnoustie on their way to 71 and 67 respectively.
• A total of 7 players hit all 18 greens in the first round, including Richie Ramsay, who figured prominently in our Genworth Stats Pack tournament preview report earlier in the week.
• Oliver Wilson gets the hotest putter prize of the day taking just 24 putts in his excellent round of 67 at Carnoustie.

• In form players Danny Willet and Jamie Donaldson started well. At the close of the opening day's play, the Genworth Statistics show that they now both hold a Stroke Average of 68.11 for their last 9 rounds of golf. Look for them to be in the running as the week progresses.
• Martin Kaymer performed the best of the Ryder Cup heros. In his opening round of 70 at Carnoustie, he hit 6 fairways, 14 greens and had 32 putts. Martin also hit 2 of the Par 5 holes in sub-regulation. He may well move up the field into contention in rounds two and three on the comparatively easier courses.
• It was good to see Michael Campbell striking it well over the first day, hitting 15 of 16 fairways and all 18 greens at St Andrews on his way to 67.