Thousands descended on the Mid Ocean golf course to watch four of the world's best 'putt' it out for the PGA Grand Slam yesterday.

International commentators sang the Island's praises and spoke highly of the 18-hole St. George's course.

And organiser David Ezeikiel said the first day of the tournament was amazing and expected today's round to be even better. "We've had fantastic weather," he said.

"We've had a bit more wind than we expected, but the players' scores have held up and I think they will play even better tomorrow, now that they know the course.

"It has been fantastic watching the people; we've had more than 6,000 come out today. The scene around the seventh and 18th hole was spectacular, thousands of people watching the players and cheering.

"We've heard nothing but praise from the players and commentators. The TNT cameracrew said they have never had so many vistas to choose from."

Veteran TNTsports commentator Jim Huber said the Mid Ocean course was on par compared to the Hawaiian course where the Grand Slam has been played for the last 13 years.

"It's very comparable," he said. "They are both little slices of paradise. This is a more challenging course and I think it televises better with the views."

Premier Ewart Brown said he was delighted that so many visitors came to the Island for the event:"I have heard a lot of people commenting on how beatiful the Island looks.

"That is why we wanted to host this event. Golf is important but more important is that it will be shown in 110 countries around the world."

Spectators could see the cyrstal clear Atlantic Ocean behind Angel Cabrera, Padraig Harrington, Zach Johnson and Jim Furyk as they teed off early in the morning at the first hole and again at the end of the course at the 18th hole.

"It's just been wonderful to watch them,"Angela Foster, of Philidelphia, said. "We've been able to get closer to them than at other PGA tournaments and the weather has been wonderful. I am definitely returning home with a tan!"

Repeat visitors Bobbie and Larry Palmisano, from New Hampshire, said they chose to come to Bermuda on the Azmara cruise specifically to see the tournament.

"We've come and stayed at hotels before but this time we decided to come by boat," Mrs. Palmisano said. "Everyone has been as friendly as ever, despite the size of the event and the Island looks wonderful."

Mr. Palmisano spoke highly of the Mid Ocean Course: "I played here a few months back, I didn't do as well as the professionals are doing today, but I had a great time. It's a difficult but enjoyable course."

Harrington is leading the tournament with a three under par 67, while Cabrera is second with two under par 68, and Johnson and Furyk are tied with one over par 71. For full coverage see the Sports section.

The tournament continues today at 11 a.m.

* Due to a technical error the Watch it on the Web footage of Monday's Pro-Am tournament could not be uploaded on The Royal Gazette website but footage from the first day of the tournament can be seen at www.theroyalgazette.com.