European Tour - Scottish Open

First topic message reminder :

There's little doubt that the Scottish Open is one of the most important events on the ET calendar outside the majors&WGCs. Last year's move of venue from Loch Lomond (after hosting the event for 15 consecutive years) to Castle Stuart received mainly good reviews, although there have been reservations expressed as well. There is a change in the title sponsor this year, and I think the organisers may feel quite happy at the moment that the previous deal with Barclays came to an end after last year's event.

Over the past few weeks I've been keeping an eye on the recent field strength history of the ET events, and to that extent it is quite interesting to have a look at the Scottish Open in comparison with some of the other events taking place around this time of the year. Apart from showing that this event has had the strongest field from all those European events, it also shows that it's been by far the most consistent/constant in that respect. And that's probably to be expected considering its strategic position in space and time...

Spoiler:

...although a slight warning should be raised perhaps as this year the OWGR field strength (looking to be 48 pts to the winner and quite close to the 46 pts bracket) is at its weakest level since the year 2000.

Luke Donald is the defending champion and apart from trying to defend his title, he will also celebrate his 52nd week as world number 1, placing him now at no. 5 amongst those with most weeks at the top of the ranks (Woods, Norman, Faldo and Ballesteros are the only ones ahead of him). The Scottish challenge should be very strong this week, with Martin Laird and Paul Lawrie the obvious two leading contenders. I wonder though if Paul Lawrie's rather controversial decision to skip the US Open and concentrate on ET events hasn't put more pressure on him then he would've liked lately to perforrm, and if so, there's likely to be even more pressure on him to do well in his home event... we'll see how he can cope with all that...

From this side of the water I'm expecting and hoping Harrington and McDowell to be in contention, but also wouldn't be surprised to see a couple of Italians doing well here (Molinari, Gagli, Matteo)... Anders Hansen is having a great start early this morning with birdies at each of the first 4 holes, with Franny following close by (he appears to be in tremendous form the last couple of weeks). Padraig, Stenson, Jaidee, Matteo and Marcel are also among the good starters early on, with Stephen Gallacher leading the home charge. As for Paul Casey... , I really think he needs to take a (loooooong) break....

Prefer Heathland myself.

I can never understand why folk don't like to see the pros scoring low.

They are all playing the same course.

I love the variation. Its just a cuss to the course

I've no problem with scoring low, but I prefer to see an element of risk involved with it, e.g. The course has to have the potential for some drama, something you don't really get at TOC due to the drab finish.

I heard Peter Lawrie yesterday evening in a radio interview over here saying "I feel that my time has come...!?" Didn't think much of it last night as he was still 4 shots behind the lead, but maybe he knew something, hopefully it'll last till Sunday evening.... Something seems to have clicked also in Kaymer's game this week...

And Phil seems to like it in Scotland after all... what a round he's putting together this morning after holing out his second shot at his first hole for eagle...!

Big Phil on the charge today. Lawrie in danger of missing the cut. Lyle looks like making the weekend.

The cut could be as low as -4.

Phil continues his sensational round, another birdie chance at 16th. May well equal Franny's 62 from yesterday... Getting very busy at the top of the LB, but Molinary should be reasonably happy that noone ran away with the lead this morning... Paul Lawrie needs to birdie the last three holes to have a chance, not looking good for him...

Perhaps Phil entered too late to cash in on a big appearance fee and is actually interested in the prize money?

Great to see him doing well though, Kaymer too.

Terrible finish for Lyle, weekend off for him.

Is lyle playing the open?

Lyle is playing in the Open. I fancy him for a top 10 finish.

Lol - your kidding- i fancy him for a bottom 10 finish or if its raining an NR

Lyle should retire from Tour golf.

Lyle has still 1 major victory left in him. This could be the year.

haha, yeah like err. I know the open can be a bit of a lottery but- we need to get real dudette

mystiroakey wrote:haha, yeah like err. I know the open can be a bit of a lottery but- we need to get real dudette

No need to call me a woman

I associate Emm with Emma- apoligies dude

What happened with Howard Clark interviewing Martin Kaymer? Howard suddenly started swearing, Kaymer looked bewildered, someone started waving his arm just in camera shot, then Ewen Murray came on to apologise.

Bizarre.

George1507 wrote:What happened with Howard Clark interviewing Martin Kaymer? Howard suddenly started swearing, Kaymer looked bewildered, someone started waving his arm just in camera shot, then Ewen Murray came on to apologise.

Bizarre.

It was Kaymer who swore first. Clark just said that he couldn't say that and so they would have to start the interview again. It was a bit odd as they didn't seem to be aware that they were live on air at the time.

I can't believe that anyone would have been offended though. It was fairly harmless stuff.

Ewen Murray is the worst commentator in golf and that says it all when he has Bruce as competition in that regard!

Tinmar wrote:

George1507 wrote:What happened with Howard Clark interviewing Martin Kaymer? Howard suddenly started swearing, Kaymer looked bewildered, someone started waving his arm just in camera shot, then Ewen Murray came on to apologise.

Bizarre.

It was Kaymer who swore first. Clark just said that he couldn't say that and so they would have to start the interview again. It was a bit odd as they didn't seem to be aware that they were live on air at the time.

I can't believe that anyone would have been offended though. It was fairly harmless stuff.

haha sounds gas! prob wont get to see it though!

McLaren wrote:"Wish I could shoot 62....."

Just play 9 holes.

Thanks....

Its on sky now!! sweet.

Donald playing some sweet golf

Luke had 11 consecutive pars, needs to get it moving (same for Harri) to be able to keep up with the leaders. Time for a last push from Ernie as well, just to be around for the weekend.

I may have mixed up Lawrie with Lowry when I listened to that interview last night about 'I feel my time has come'... Overweight? Shane moving up the LB like a feather...!!

Super round from Matteo today so far! Toughest hole on the course (7th) coming up though... Forza Matteoooo! His countryman Franny, could've been streets ahead without that triple earlier on...

princedracula wrote:Super round from Matteo today so far! Toughest hole on the course (7th) coming up though... Forza Matteoooo!

Toughest hole I said? He makes birdie! Just one behind the lead!

yeah matteo on a top round, so is lowery- donald steady eddie

hoover also putting in a decent perfomance - he has been off the ball since the masters this year!

As one of the richer events on the Tour, I am kind of surprised that many of the Euro RC contenders and pretenders are skipping the event. No Sergio, No Gonzo, No Poulter, No Hanson, No Quiros,

I am estimating that is going to take at least 2.2 million Euro or 190 OWGR points to make the Euro Ryder cup team.

Frankie and Martin can virtually clinch a spot if they can win and Martin will clinch a spot with a solo Second.

Sergio is will become the bubble guy (10th man) if Frankie can finish in the top 10. Combined with a Colsearts win (or solo Second), it will knock Sergio out of the top 10.

I am really looking forward to seeing the battle for the last 5 spots on the team.

Paddy is trying to make a 11th hour run at qualifying. I don't think he is qualified for Bridgestone yet, IMO, he needs to qualify for that event to have a chance at getting in the top 10 of RC qualifying.

To get into Bridgestone Event, It looks like Paddy needs to gross about 35 points to even have a chance. A tough road to hoe, in just a couple of tournaments.

Edit: who is "Hoover"

dyson

Howler..10 birdies and a 7 in his 67.
Just when I thought he was becoming more consistant.

Fisher and Harrington playing together this morning.......John Paramour has his stopwaatch out!!

Fish clearly outplaying Harri early in the round this morning...

Doon the Water wrote:Howler..10 birdies and a 7 in his 67.
Just when I thought he was becoming more consistant.

Would be nice to see him have another good weekend Doon. He needs good results now to secure his card, exemptions run out at the end of this year

Are there spaces at the Open up for grabs for a high placing this week?

JAS wrote:

Doon the Water wrote:Howler..10 birdies and a 7 in his 67.
Just when I thought he was becoming more consistant.

Would be nice to see him have another good weekend Doon. He needs good results now to secure his card, exemptions run out at the end of this year

Are there spaces at the Open up for grabs for a high placing this week?

Only one space, for the highest finisher not already qualified, and he has to finish T5 or better.

Hi Jas, last chance saloon for the Open.
Not sure gow many places are available, I think there is a mini league with the Irish/French/Scottish Opens.
He jumped from 103 to 64 in the OOM so should be safeish after this event.
He still Qualifies for European events via career earnings something in the region of £14m.

Coverage on the beeb today then, wonder which commentator will annoy me first but I guess its uninterrupted at least thanks to no adverts.

Will be settling down for the duration of todays play snug while the world outside in the UK suffers more monsoon season.

Sorry to see The Most Interesting Man In The World slipping off the back of the peloton, come on Miguel, more . Why no smiley for a big fat cigar?!

Where's the Scottish cheers? Fantastic round by Lairdy!
This is getting very interesting with so many contending... C'mooon Shane!!!!

princedracula wrote:...C'mooon Shane!!!!

A French at the top!!?? Must be Bastille Day......

Great start by the two overnight leaders and a good finish by Padraig. He would've liked to be 1-2 shots better though before Sunday to realy have a decent chance. Still not out of it by any means, but it will be tough the way all the others are going at the moment...

Scotland with four golfers in the Top 20, incl three in the Top Ten.

Sad to see Oliver Wilson muddling along in a Challenge event - even sadder to see Dougherty already having missed the cut.

Stunning recovery from Luke at 15th, but has to be said, today his game is not really there...

Brilliant couple of rounds from Lefty, should be in the thick of it tomorrow afternoon...

princedracula wrote:Stunning recovery from Luke at 15th, but has to be said, today his game is not really there...

Brilliant couple of rounds from Lefty, should be in the thick of it tomorrow afternoon...

Maybe this is Phils year at the Open......he has come close so often......ive always thought Links was perfect for him...............

Been out all day, so just caught up with the scoring. Luke scores -4 and slips 3 places.

Kjeldsen really coming back to form in the last few weeks. Hope he can seal an Open spot.

Kjeldsen and Warren playing together both had 64's.
Been a good match play.

Looks like these are the golfers with the best chance of earning the Open Championship tee-time:
Kjeldsen (3rd)
Warren (3rd)
Whiteford (5th)
Chowrasia (9th)
Peter Lawrie (9th)
Lowry (16th)
Jeev Milkha (16th)
Stenson (16th)
Garrido (16th)
Green (16th)

Scoring a bit tougher today?

Looks that way Kwini, I would say the wind is up??

Will it be a Scottish win at the Scottish Open? Last time when that happen was in 1999 when Monty won it...

Marc Warren is all of a sudden three shots ahead... He had some strong rounds here and there, but his last top 10 finish was exactly 6 month ago, in South Africa. Another surprise is Levet's performance, who hasn't made another cut since last December!

Watching coverage on BBC. Alliss up to his usual tricks. Kjeldsen holes a monster putt and after he picks the ball out of the cup, he gives it a kiss. Cue Alliss "You can kiss your balls Sir". Outrageous.