It should be a good one, the course is hard and fast and according to Tiger the greens are slow...what else could you do to torture poor american golfers used to pristine courses setup ideally! I was reading that they have had a hot dry summer so far which is why the fairways will be so hard and fast, and that they have to keep the greens slow or if there is any wind, which there usually is, they become unplayable the ball doesn't stop rolling if the greens are too fast. I saw a brief Rory McElroy interview and he said he might hit more drivers than usual and try to carry the trouble on some holes. A lot of other players I read say they will likely leave the driver in the bag and hit a lot of irons off the tee for more control and that they will still get plenty of distance due to the role. I don't know how to handicap this one, because the course conditions are just so different from what the Pro's play here in the US. looking forward to it though.
I'm going to keep an eye on the Barbasol Championship where Brittany Lincicome will be playing. She's considered one of the longest hitters on the LPGA, in the top 10 of avg driving distance...but that's 269 yds according to the LPGA website. The PGA tour website lists the top 201 driving averages and the worst guy, #201 still out drives her by 10 yards. Plus the typical LPGA setup is 6500yds or so, and this week she'll be playing 7300 yds. I hope she likes hitting fairway woods and long irons!
USA Today writer picked Rickie Fowler to win followed by. Dustin Johnson Brooks Koepka Francisco Molinari Tiger Woods....really??? bet he doesn't even make the cut. Tommy Fleetwood Rory McElroy Justin Rose Tony Finau ...don't see this pick at all Adam Scott.
I see that Phil found another sucker to stand there and let him hit his famous flop shot over their heads. If he asked me, I'd have to say no thank you but my Marine buddy AJ Martin will step in and take it for me! : )
A lot of talk still about guys bring out the big club on a lot of holes vs guys who will keep it in the bad and hit a lot of irons off the tee. Big risk big reward!
Jordan Spieth looked on early got it to -3 then feel apart the final 4 holes. Tony Finau who I dissed in a message above had a great 1st day, shot 67 (-4) and is in the top 5. Tiger on the course now, off to a good start.
Matsuhyama just hit a 3 wood off #10 and it rolled into the water at the end of the fairway...400 yds. Must have rolled 80 yards.
Very entertaining tournament so far. Doubt that the 36 hole leaders hold on. Fleetwood, McIlroy, Spieth and Fowler are poised to make a run for the jug. Finau could be the surprise (almost said dark horse.)
Molanari becomes the first Italian golfer to win the Open and has his future all mapped out: https://mobile.twitter.com/wesleybryangolf/status/1021086972360777733
Speaking of the open...theres a couple of courses in Nebraska's sandhills (Lehman, Crenshaw designs) that are the midwest's versions of Scottish courses....The Prairie Club in Valentine (US Top 50 public), and Wild Horse club (Top 100). Doc, Gip, anyone that's interested, I'll drive.
I know so many people love those Scottish courses, Links golf, me not so much. Those courses to me, on TV, look like bad muni's here in the USA. I did not get to see much more than the highlights since the time change is so big, but congrats to the winner. He played great on what people say might be the toughest challenge in Golf. Personally my favorite Tourney is still the Masters. With the Masters you get a beautiful course in a beautiful setting always maintained to the highest level. They don't trick it up like the USGA, it is fairly consistent from year to year. Sure they have changed things over the year, but basically it's still the same course, maybe longer for sure..but you recognize the holes every year.
I like the diversity of the Masters and the 2 Opens. Like Terry said the Masters is perfect every year and the U.S. Open really rewards driving accuracy (normally), and the British Open brings in all of the weather elements. Anyone that can win all three of those tournaments is special.
I found I was disappointed in the British Open this year. I was looking forward to a good finish but was disappointed that an unknown won the tournament. My sister-in-law, who lives with us, asked why they did not have enough money to plant some grass seed? :lol:
Well the Open turned out to be a reprise of the tortoise and the hare. The Italian turtle just plodded along shooting par after par while the rest of the leaders were all over the place. As to the courses in Scotland they're just different. The weather there is usually rainy and the fairways are not usually as dried out as they were this year. Also the rough grass is usually much lusher and more difficult to play from. That's the way they invented the game. When you're there you accept the course with reverence not ridicule. Nice to see Tiger in the mix again and what a turn around by Rose. Just making the cut on Friday and finishing second.