July 20: Last Sunday, one of Fleet Street's finest predicted that because only great players win at Muirfield, The Open would not be won by Duffy Waldorf.
If that journalist wasn't squirming on Thursday night after Waldorf's four-under-par 67, he must be feeling just a little bit queasy after Friday's steady 69. Because with 73 of the 156-strong field jettisoned, the colourful Californian goes into this weekend's serious business with a share of the lead.
And unlike Thursday's press conference, the questions on Friday were more focused on Waldorf's chances of victory than his collection of floral print shirts.
Can he do it? Probably not, but he doesn't look like the kind of chap who is going to let not winning a golf tournament spoil his week. But if it's not going to be Duffy going home with the Auld Claret Jug and £700,000 winner's cheque - just imagine how many Hawaiian shirts he could buy with that - then who will? One thing's for certain, whoever it is will have proved their mettle against a full Muirfield examination. Bureau Report