European Tour - Austrian Open

The sheer excitement of last week's Open Championship should continue this week at the (Lyoness) Austrian Open!
OK, maybe not so much...

The event has been moved a couple of month earlier this year, but the new time slot (quite happily freed by the Irish Open this year) must be one of the most unfortunate in the whole calendar, squeezed right inbetween the Open and the two major events that follow in the States at the begining of August. It's commendable in that context that the ET and the tournament organisers decided to start the proceedings one day earlier (Wed-Sat), arguably to accommodate those who will have to travel to Ohio next week. Mind you, at a closer look, it turns out that only one player in the whole field, the Austrian Bernd Wiesberger, is actually qualified for the Bridgestone Invitational! Moreover, nobody else could possibly reach the top 50 with a win here in order to qualify for next week's WGC event at the last moment.

And there's no need for a fancy plot with the owgr evolution over the years, as this has been always and remains a highly subsidised 24 point event... But following Wiesberger's impressive win in Korea a few month back coupled also with the great performance by the teenage sensation Matthias Schwab at the British Amateur, there is certainly a bit of a buzz about the future prospects of Austrian golf and local hopes are high for one of these rising stars to do very well this week. Larrazabal and Olesen are the highest ranked and the only top 100 players in what is otherwise one of the weakest fields on the European Tour all year. No wonder that they had to fill the long list of invitees with surprise names like Kafelnikov, but it's good to see in there once again the promissing name of South African Dylan Fritelli (as well as that of Ross McGowan)...

The course at the Diamond CC has received good praise from players last year, but I understand that there has been lots of rain over the past week or so, so we'll just have to wait and see what will be the condition of the course this week. Forecast is for some (possibly) more rain tomorrow and maybe Thursday as well, followed by scorching temperatures in the 30's Celsius for the rest of the week...

Crying shame there's such a gap in the ET schedule, essentially a month, after the excellence of The Open. Pretty much seceding Late July/most of August to Finchem. But, as in Canada, there are plenty of golfers you'd think would be playing this week, but no dice. Shame.

Oliver Wilson trying to rebuild his career, Paul Waring on his way back (hopefully) and Gronberg on a busman's holiday.

Kafelnikov playing with Henningsson - he looked so good when he won a few years ago; seems to have done nothing since.

Wow, super start by Kafelnikov! Can't believe I'm even saying this at a golf tournament... 1-under after 7 holes and T8, certainly keeping up well with his playing partners Dodd and Henningson, both former winners on the ET...

Larrazabal and Bourdy (who started with an eagle) are the early leaders at 3-under par.

OK, Pablo just moved clear at 4-under after 5 holes...

Cheers pd.
Well at least they didn't invite Bill Murray or Peter Schmeichel - although that would probably have made the tournament somewhat more interesting.

That's true pedro... I'm thinking if Westood will ever organise his own tournament, we could even see Ronan Keating geting an invite...

I wonder if Kafelnikov is grunting when is swinging the golf club as he used to do in tennis...? I had once the chance to see him live at Roland Garros in the early/mid 90's (watched Steffi Graf as well that day)... I remember he won easily, but kind of put me off with his grunting (still a new thing back then)...

Dropping down the LB gracefully at the moment, but 3-over par for someone like him still looks pretty decent...

Pablo looks way ahead of the rest out there for the time being, which is good to see considering he's the top ranked man in the field...

pd,
The Top 100 in the owgr following the Bridgestone will most likely get in to the PGA.
Pablo should be OK, but perhaps one or two fringe guys are playing in Austria to make that particular cut:
99: Olesen - would think a top ten might squeak him in.
113: Weisberger - top two would do it, possibly solo top three depending on Bridgestone?
115: Gallacher - probably needs a top two.

Would think that might be it.
144: Lowry - most likely would just miss, even with a win. Close!

Shane could move as high as #96 with a win, so it's certainly possible for him. He was quoted recently here as saying that he feels another win is getting close... hopefully that'll be this week!

Olesen -7 after 14. I think he's the real deal.

Does anyone know what happened to Anthony Wall... he retired according to the LB. He was having one of the best rounds yesterday (5-under after 13), so must be some sort of injury...

EDIT: Ooops! And I see that Frittelli was disqualified... not good...

The commentators said Wall pulled out with Hip injury

TB Oelson really looks like the real deal

I think Shane Lowry's main goal at the moment should be to focus on making the 2014 Ryder cup team. With a 2 year plan I feel that this would be an achievable goal for him.

Hend: I agree, I really like Oleson have followed him closely this year, hoping he goes on to win this and have a couple of good more events to really solidify his season.

incontinentia wrote:I think Shane Lowry's main goal at the moment should be to focus on making the 2014 Ryder cup team. With a 2 year plan I feel that this would be an achievable goal for him.

Lowry's main goal should be to make sure he wakes up the next morning and does all he can to reduce his risk of chronic heart failure or he might not see 2014.

As for making the Ryder Cup. No chance, more Cup a' Soup.

super, spot on!

Well he could always avail of a captain's pick if he works hard enough. The ability is definitely there.

Is it? No professional wins and rarely challenging for anything.

Just another journeyman, and a fat one at that.

He's not fat, hes husky. You forgot his euro tour win as an amateur. If McGinley is captain dont be shocked if he gives his fellow countryman a cheeky wildcard a la Faldo 2008.

Exactly Incontinent, as I said, no professional wins.

Lowry is simply not good enough to be a Ryder Cup player.

yes he is

Really, why has he come nowhere near selection before then? SImple, there are far too many players of a higher standard ahead of him. 46 of them with a higher ranking. Can you imagine America picking their American number 47?

He can improve enough in the next 2 years to be considered, easily. His current level is not that far off really. Hes 144 in the owgr, not 1000.

Yes, he could do, but then again so could everybody else.

You have to admit though, it looks incredibly unlikely, especially as he just seems content to pick up cheques for finishing T30.

incontinentia wrote:He's not fat, hes husky. You forgot his euro tour win as an amateur. If McGinley is captain dont be shocked if he gives his fellow countryman a cheeky wildcard a la Faldo 2008.

Well Poulter ended up being a success. Casey maybe not, but can never be compared to picking Lowry. Did I hear anybody saying WUM?

super_realist wrote:Really, why has he come nowhere near selection before then?

Might be because there's only actually been one Ryder Cup since he turned pro, in fairness. He's still only 25, even though he looks about 40, so give him time.

NedB-H wrote:

super_realist wrote:Really, why has he come nowhere near selection before then?

Might be because there's only actually been one Ryder Cup since he turned pro, in fairness. He's still only 25, even though he looks about 40, so give him time.

And he's hardly set the potatoes on fire has he?
Is that 25 years old, or 25 stone?

pedro wrote:

incontinentia wrote:He's not fat, hes husky. You forgot his euro tour win as an amateur. If McGinley is captain dont be shocked if he gives his fellow countryman a cheeky wildcard a la Faldo 2008.

Well Poulter ended up being a success. Casey maybe not, but can never be compared to picking Lowry. Did I hear anybody saying WUM?

Poulter had won plenty before making the team.

super_realist wrote:

NedB-H wrote:

super_realist wrote:Really, why has he come nowhere near selection before then?

Might be because there's only actually been one Ryder Cup since he turned pro, in fairness. He's still only 25, even though he looks about 40, so give him time.

And he's hardly set the potatoes on fire has he?
Is that 25 years old, or 25 stone?

Not every Ryder Cup player in history won in their first couple of years as a pro either.

Lowry has done nothing, and shows no sign of doing anything which would merit selection, simple as that.

Not every Ryder Cup player in history has won . . . . . .

Thinking back to last time, does it count if the player in question says he would have won if he played on a different tour? Hypothetical rather than actual wins, if you like.

BOOM BABY, YEAH!!! WHOO!!!

Looking elsewhere in Europe, there's a strange looking leaderboard at the Evian. After round 1, Yani Tseng is 13 shots off the lead, languishing at tied 91st place. What on earth has happened to her lately?

Skydriver wrote:Looking elsewhere in Europe, there's a strange looking leaderboard at the Evian. After round 1, Yani Tseng is 13 shots off the lead, languishing at tied 91st place. What on earth has happened to her lately?

maybe shes shagging rory mcilroy

super_realist wrote:

incontinentia wrote:I think Shane Lowry's main goal at the moment should be to focus on making the 2014 Ryder cup team. With a 2 year plan I feel that this would be an achievable goal for him.

Lowry's main goal should be to make sure he wakes up the next morning and does all he can to reduce his risk of chronic heart failure or he might not see 2014.

Or alternatively to get up in the morning, stretch out of bed, and be able to see his old man unaided without having to use a mirror.

Seriously, he would need to win a couple or three at least, and big ones at that.

A lot of players RTD'ed or WD'ed after Round 1... Seems they didn't bother Round 2??

JPX wrote:

super_realist wrote:

incontinentia wrote:I think Shane Lowry's main goal at the moment should be to focus on making the 2014 Ryder cup team. With a 2 year plan I feel that this would be an achievable goal for him.

Lowry's main goal should be to make sure he wakes up the next morning and does all he can to reduce his risk of chronic heart failure or he might not see 2014.

Or alternatively to get up in the morning, stretch out of bed, and be able to see his old man unaided without having to use a mirror.

Seriously, he would need to win a couple or three at least, and big ones at that.

How's the weather in T.watshire? He has won already on the Euro tour so it's not a stretch to imagine him winning more. Anyway a win is not necessary, he just needs to keep improving at his current level and he won't be too far away from striding down the fairways of Gleneagles in 2014. Himself and Harrington would be a dream pairing imo.

Now you really are being a WUM, Harrington shouldn't be anywhere near the team either.

I can think of at least 40 players who are better placed than Lowry. Plus, I'm not sure the Ryder Cup committee could afford his food bill.

Round 3 underway, Lowry rolls out @ 13.35 local.

A win here and he's in with a chance to play the PGA Championship. Is he up to the challenge? Unless they get in to the WGC's and Majors on a regular basis no European golfer stands any chance of Ryder Cup qualification, Lowry included.

super_realist wrote:Now you really are being a WUM, .

That's pretty rich coming from you, can't someone have an alternative opinion without being branded a wum?

Course you can have an opinion, but you'd be as well having Tanni Grey Thompson in the Ryder Cup than Lowry or Harrington.

kwinigolfer wrote:Round 3 underway, Lowry rolls out @ 13.35 local.

A win here and he's in with a chance to play the PGA Championship. Is he up to the challenge? Unless they get in to the WGC's and Majors on a regular basis no European golfer stands any chance of Ryder Cup qualification, Lowry included.

I think everyone will agree that Shane was very unlucky not to finish higher in the Scottish Open and thus qualify for the Open. Hopefully he can right that wrong this week.

He's a laughing stock on these boards Incont, what is it you like about Billy Bunter?

He's a laughing stock not for his golf realist, but because some people like to take childish digs at his weight. I have never heard of Tanny Grey Thompson or Billy Bunter, perhaps you could use more accessible examples?

How can anyone not heard of Tanny Grey Thompson or Billy bunter.

His weight isn't a childish dig I seriously worry about peoples health when I see them in the state Shane is in. His arteries must be fit to burst just at getting out of bed. However I also believe his choice to be that way and end of the day as long as he's happy fair enough.

however I don't think he is anywhere in the class to be in RC team, As for his wins. He hasn't want on European tour, he won on the Euro Pro tour! massive gulf in class, akin to winning a crazy golf medal compared to a club championship.

super_realist wrote:Course you can have an opinion, but you'd be as well having Tanni Grey Thompson in the Ryder Cup than Lowry or Harrington.

Come on, super. Now you have to be serious. You should know that women aren't allowed in the Ryder Cup!

Fader wrote:How can anyone not heard of Tanny Grey Thompson or Billy bunter.

His weight isn't a childish dig I seriously worry about peoples health when I see them in the state Shane is in. His arteries must be fit to burst just at getting out of bed. However I also believe his choice to be that way and end of the day as long as he's happy fair enough.

however I don't think he is anywhere in the class to be in RC team, As for his wins. He hasn't want on European tour, he won on the Euro Pro tour! massive gulf in class, akin to winning a crazy golf medal compared to a club championship.

Please educate yourself before posting. Shane won the Irish Open in 2009, last I checked that's a European Tour event. Secondly, he is slightly overweight, not morbidly obese like you are making out. Thirdly, I doubt he chooses to be that way.

Ok i'll eat my words on the win wasn't aware of that.

as for your other 2 points

he is not slightly over weight. Slightly overwight would be a few pounds to a stone, not the weight of another whole smale person.

oh and he does choose to be that way, just follow him on twitter and you'll see how much he drinks and eats. We all have a choice and his is no thyroid problem

He is about 2 stone overweight. That is about the weight of a small dwarf so I take your point on that one.

Fitness in golf is overrated anyway, except maybe in extreme heat and/or humidity.

Is he managed by Chubby Chandler?

incontinentia wrote:

Fader wrote:How can anyone not heard of Tanny Grey Thompson or Billy bunter.

His weight isn't a childish dig I seriously worry about peoples health when I see them in the state Shane is in. His arteries must be fit to burst just at getting out of bed. However I also believe his choice to be that way and end of the day as long as he's happy fair enough.

however I don't think he is anywhere in the class to be in RC team, As for his wins. He hasn't want on European tour, he won on the Euro Pro tour! massive gulf in class, akin to winning a crazy golf medal compared to a club championship.

Please educate yourself before posting. Shane won the Irish Open in 2009, last I checked that's a European Tour event. Secondly, he is slightly overweight, not morbidly obese like you are making out. Thirdly, I doubt he chooses to be that way.

No one else makes him fat, sheer glutony/laziness. 99.9% of fat people are the same.

He's 16 stone, that is unacceptable. Puts him in the top 3% of fatness in the UK.

incontinentia wrote:He is about 2 stone overweight. That is about the weight of a small dwarf so I take your point on that one.

Fitness in golf is overrated anyway, except maybe in extreme heat and/or humidity.

Its not just about fitness in golf though, it's fitness in life he should worry about.