Golf Central

OK, so Day Three went missing in action just like Day One, but let's face it, we live in Britain and when the sun shines, you've got to get out there...

Anyhoo, a great day for Hennie Otto, who made up for blowing a final day lead a few weeks back in Madeira by keeping his nerve in Italy. He won his first European Tour event with a final 69 for 25-under, a shot clear of Oliver Wilson, who must have given Otto the fright of his life with a fantastic 64.

Robert Karlsson gave The Bet Detective some solace with third at 23-under, while Phil Archer and Marcel Siem tied fourth at 21-under. John Daly shot 67,73,68, 68 to finish tied 23rd.

It's becoming a habit now. Having been held in awe by Sergio Garcia's unbridled talent as a teenager, we then spent a bit jumping up and down with frustration and now we veer from poorly feigned disinterest to cruel mocking. 'There he goes with his two putters and his three putts,' we mock, before hacking our way around the local muni in 123 shots.

Nonetheless, deep down we want Sergio to win. And win big. Which is why we were quietly delighted with his first round at Sawgrass. 

He's still in the mix in tied second place despite a disappointing second round 73. Bernhard Langer took the plaudits on the day with front nine 61 for a 5-under score of 67.

Kenny Perry leads at 6-under, with the in-form Anthony Kim in fifth at 5-under, with Boo Weekley a shot shy of last week's winner.

Where the hell was our Day One report? You may well ask. It was lost somewhere near the beach volleyball court on Brighton' seafront, apparently. If you find it, just email it over, we'd be ever so grateful.

Anyway, Ross McGowan and Marco Ruiz both posted fantastic 64s in the first round, with John Daly more than raising an eyebrow in the Milan sunshine with a 67. Second day in, however, and Robert Karlsson eclipsed them all with a course record 61. Seems the right time to mention the fact that he's one of The Bet Detective's tips for the season.

At 15-under, Karlsson is two shots clear of Mark Foster and Hennie Otto, with absolute unknown Argentine Estanislao Goya, tied for fourth place with Anders Hansen. Go Estanislao!