They're schlepping their way through the first round of the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale in what is occasionally horizontal rain. The Bard sentimerntally described England as "this blessed plot, this earth, this realm" but he conventiently left out the soggy as a wet sponge part.

So the leaders in the clubhouse were two players at 1-over 71, Retief Goosen and Mike Weir. But the interesting name near the top of the leaderboard still out on the course was Greg Norman at even-par after 12. There's also a Wood -- British amateur Chris Wood, not Tiger Woods -- at 1-over after just three holes.

The 53-year-old Norman bogied No. 1 but birdied No. 3 (both par fours) to put a little glitter on the leaderboard at this early stage of the major that is soldiering on without wounded Tiger Woods, who is recuperating from knee surgery.

Much has been written and said about the impact of Woods' absence but it was brought into focus for me last week when I took a look at the wagering odds at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. The diffusive effect of a Tiger-less major was told in the betting numbers. Just three players were listed at less than 10-1 to win the Open Champoionship -- Sergio Garcia (7-1), Ernie Els (15-2) and Phil Mickelson (8-1). Of the nearly 50 leading contenders, only seven were less than 20-1 and the short-odds bet? Well, it was the field (meaning anyone other than the 48 players listed) at 6-1.