[Internet exclusive] In the first of a four-part series, Lantern sports writer Nolan Saunders details what it’s like in a day in the life of one hole during the Memorial Tournament. For his first day, Saunders chose the newly redesigned 17th hole. The par-4, 478-yard hole got a new look this year as Memorial founder and host redesigned the green, making it one of Muirfield’s toughest.

8:00 a.m. I’m just getting situated at my spot at the newly redesigned17th green as the first group is teeing off at one. I think to myself, it’s four hours from the tee at one to the hole at 18. I’m just one flag short of that. It’s going to be a long three hours and 45 minutes.

10:50 a.m. A cheer goes up across the way out of sight at fourteen. Only one more hour to go.

11:45 a.m. Like clockwork the first group reaches the tee of the par four 17th hole. It stands to reason that this group will be fairly predictive of how golfers will fare today on the hole. The trio find themselves in a predicament when lining up their second shot. The pin is on the right side of the green. To go for it they have to go over (or through) a tree and avoid two sand traps. Or they can go left and try to two-put for par. Chad Campbell is a golfer who lives on the edge, he goes for the through-the-tree shot. It pays off, he birdies. The same gamble didn’t pay for Jonathan Kaye. His ball found the bunker and led to a bogie. It’s worthwhile to mention that Jeff Maggert parred. The first group hit the cycle. So it’s going to be that kind of hole.

12:55 p.m. Retief Goosen drains a 25-foot bird from. Why can’t I do that? Duval’s eight-footer drops his score by one shortly after.

1:26 p.m. The Golden Bear steps onto the green he hopes to have made a course changer. He is met by applause and assorted yells to the tune of, “Get’em Bear.” Will the hole he redesigned treat him well? It does. Par. Ohio State represent.

1:42 p.m. Ernie Els goes over the tree and puts the ball in the crowd. He miraculously breaks even after sinking a 25-foot put of his own. Charles Howell III played all tree of his shots right to put him at seven under. He would birdie on 18 too, to put him at the top of the leader board at the end of the day with eight under.

2:13 p.m. It’s a great day for long puts. Fred Funk puts one down forbirdie.

3:25 p.m. Woody Austin birdies to go to minus seven. He then proceeds to triple bogie 18 to finish four under par. Bummer. Guys named Woody rule.

3:56 p.m. Vijay Singh frenzies the crowd when his ball pours into the cup from 35 feet out for birdie. I now don’t think I’ll ever pick up golf clubs again.

4:55 p.m. Clouds cover the sun, a cool wind blows through the trees,Tiger steps up to the tee and with him comes a mass of humanity. Andrew Yerich, a third grader at Bailey elementary in Dublin, predicts a birdie. Will he be right? Nope. Mr. Woods pars. Dreams are shattered of seeing the trademark fist pump. Tiger saves room for drama and finishes tied for fourth at five under.

6:16 p.m. Gary Nicklaus, Jack’s boy, in the last group of the day parslike dad. Nicklaus finishes, seven strokes ahead of his father, at three under. No sooner does the round end, the rain starts. Ah the Memorial