THIS is why we get up at 1:00 AM

The Open Championship at St. Andrews. My wife believes that I am "bonkers." Our dog (Tessie the Wonder Dog) barked for 15 minutes straight when I got out of bed at 1:00 AM PDT. They're both "Wankers." I am enjoying a ring-side seat to history in spectacular HD on my big-screen. Sleep be damned, for the next four days, I will gladly visit sleep deprivation land to witness The Open Championship and the magic inspired by the Home of Golf, the Old Course at St. Andrews.

By 2:00 AM, the storylines began to unfold, begging the question; "Do you believe in magic?" A svelte John Daly, looking slightly peculiar in his blue paisley slacks from LoudMouth Golf and pink shirt, made the turn towards the inward nine at six-under-par. His front-nine score of 31 bested his  1995 best nine score by 2 strokes. His '95 performance led to a playoff victory and his second Major Championship. So far, Daly is two-clear of the field, sporting -7 thru 12 holes.

The rain is failing along with the temperatures and the wind is conspicuously absent. The conditions promise to grow worse and worse as the day goes by, giving the feeling that the lowest scores will come from the morning pairings. Even with his magical play through 13, one has to acknowledge the nagging little voice in the head reminding us that Daly is notable for long drives and HUGE numbers. In my heart, I am rooting for Daly to go the distance because I do believe in magic.