THE Open Championship 2013

First topic message reminder :

In response to PD's plea, here's my effort at a thread for this week's ET event, which just happens to be the most important event on that particular calendar, if not in the world of golf as a whole. I'll try to keep it factual, other than the 'ones to watch' at the end.

The 142nd Open Championship gets underway this week at Muirfield, just outside Edinburgh. Defending champion, in both respects, is Ernie Els, the big South African having followed up his playoff win at Muirfield in 2002 with last year's surprise victory at Lytham.

Els has quite a record in this event. He missed the cut on debut in 1989, but has played every year since 1992, recording 2 wins, 3 runner-up positions and a further 7 top tens. He's missed the cut just twice in that run, in 2010 when so many were caught out by the weather on the Friday at St. Andrews, and again in poor conditions at RSG the following year. In that context, his win last year is even more remarkable. Other notable stats for the Big Easy at the oldest major include twice recording 4 rounds in the 60s without winning, in 1993 and 2004 (brownie points on offer for naming the only other player to do this and the year), finishing under par most often since 1963 alongside two other huge names in the recent history of the Open (easy to guess who so I'd like the number of times too please), and he edges both of them on overall number of rounds under 70, 39 to their 37 and 33. Interestingly they both have more rounds under par than Ernie, which I suppose means when he's good he's very good. Testament to that would be his 29 on the front 9 in the second round at Muirfield in 2002, and his seven consecutive rounds under 70 in 1993-4.

Muirfield as a venue commands, it seems, a great deal of respect from the players even though the male only status of the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers as a club casts something of a shadow over an otherwise excellent location for this great championship. I have no intention of expressing an opinion on that particular issue, not least because this week has nothing to do with the membership of the club and everything to do with the best players in the world. At 7,192 yards it's no beast, and indeed may even be considered short these days, even though they've added some 158 yards this time around. That won't detract from the substantial test that it's bound to provide, the rough at least providing some defence even if the weather doesn't look like it's going to. It's not an in and out type links, rather the front 9 loops clockwise around the anti-clockwise homeward 9. Par is 71, with 3 par 5s (5,9,17) and 4 par 3 holes (4,7,13,16). The prevailing wind will help on 5 and 17, so look for those holes to be eagle opportunities, while 9 plays back into it and at over 550 yards will be out of reach for most if there's any kind of breeze. 2, 3 and 11 are par 4s under 400 yards and ought to offer birdie opportunities, especially since the wind is likely to be helping on those holes. With the exception of the 4th, the par 3s are all around 180-190 yards, so should be no more than a mid-iron for most of the field.  

Previous champions here have included some of the game's true greats - Els, Faldo of course, twice, as well as Nicklaus, Watson, Trevino, Player and Cotton. Nobody has won the Open here by default. Faldo's 18 pars to edge out Azinger in 1987 will be part of Open Championship folk lore for centuries, even though his finish here in 1992 was arguably more inspired following his mid-round stumble which let John Cook have a sniff of victory.

Perhaps important to note is that although we look back on those last 7 Muirfield winners as greats of the game, for some of them victory here was their first in the Open (2 names?) or indeed in a major championship of any sort (another 2?). As such, could this be the first of many Opens for a new great (Rory, Justin, Adam?)

Victory in Scotland this week for Phil Mickelson has to mean he should be considered as another great player with the potential to win at Muirfield, although the fairways there will surely look like tiny islands in a sea of rough in relation to the giant swathes of short grass that the contenders at Castle Stuart were faced with this past week. So who else could be lifting the claret jug next Sunday?

Rory McIlroy - the world no. 2 hasn't given anybody any reason to suspect he'll be able to turn his form so far this season around, and this isn't his favourite event on the calendar. If the weather remains as calm as forecast that may change, but there will surely be too many genuine contenders for Rory to sneak up on the rails and pinch this one?

Tiger Woods - we've not seen numero uno since his latest injury, to his left elbow, forced him to miss his own tournament at Congressional. He's apparently 'full go' for the Open, albeit recognising that staying out of the rough will be an even better idea than usual! The length, or lack of it, of the course means he can afford to leave the driver in the bag most of the time and still have scoring opportunities but as with Rory, there are too many other serious contenders to think that Woods might win here when he was only able to muster a T28 here last time, which included a very wet, windy and rough-strewn third round 81.  

Ernie Els - the defending champion has to be a very serious contender this week, his excellent Open record combining with some pretty good recent form including of course victory in Germany 3 weeks ago. With no wind to blow him off course as he wedges his belly putter into place, you have to think Els will be in the mix next Sunday.

Graeme McDowell - another recent winner, and the all or nothing man of 2013. To mix missed cuts and wins the way GMac has done of late suggests huge mental strength, something that Muirfield Open champions have in common.

Lee Westwood - as some of you may know I'm a big fan of Lee's, but I don't really know why. Ordinarily my pessimistic, cynical nature would predict a good start to the tournament for Lee only to whimper out of contention on Friday and Saturday to the point where he hasn't got a realistic chance of winning on Sunday. However, he took the decision to miss the French Open in order to be better rested for the Open, and I'm hoping that will pay off. He's straight enough to win, especially if his recently improved short game holds out, but whether he has the mental strength I mentioned above remains to be seen!

Justin Rose - mental strength can't be questioned following that tremendous finish at Merion, and he certainly has the game to win at Muirfield. He doesn't have a great record in the Open though, his famous 4th place as an amateur in 1998 at Birkdale comfortably his best finish. 12th in 2007 and 13th in 2009 are his best pro finishes. Given his exertions at Merion, I think victory here would be asking too much.

Adam Scott - Justin's big pal and the other major champion of 2013 so far should arguably be defending champion this week. I was at Lytham to witness his demise on the Sunday, and it was pretty clear as he played the 18th that he wasn't in a good place mentally. Much like Rory he bounced back from throwing away a major by winning one very soon after, but I just have a feeling that also like Rory the one that got away will take a bit longer to finally reel in. Rory will most likely win the Masters one day, just as Adam will probably win an Open, but I fear the memories will still be too fresh for the Aussie this week.

All in all then, GMac, Ernie or Lee. All are around 25/1. If you want an outside bet; Brooks Koepke will return you 5 times as much as those big names - he's had a phenomenal year on the Challenge tour, graduating to the main ET via 3 wins before July and he played pretty well at Castle Stuart this week.

With the weather promising to be very pleasant, the course is likely to be hard and running, with the rough therefore coming more into play. Muirfield will doubtless produce a fantastic tournament and another excellent golfer will be announced by Peter Dawson around 7pm next Sunday as 'winner of the gold medal and champion golfer for the year'.

SmithersJones wrote:Nice one bsv, he's just missed the par 3 by a mile on the wrong side. Back to level he goes.

 
 Looks like we're both wrong. Still one under.

Good up and down from what I hear though. You watching smithers?

Anyone else think Andrew cotter is a fine commentator?

I think that's exactly his problem, beninho, he has pretty much no incentive to play well.

Good 4 for Westwood in the end, let's hope he can pick that shot back up on 9.

golfers arnt robots like other sportsmen- you just cant keep form up.. woods was the closest to do that, but it happens. Form is only tempary in golf

Watching, me? No, I'm at work. No streaming BBC coverage for me, nor is there another tab with the cricket score open, just like there's no tab for this site.

Didn't suspect you for a second smithers.

Likewise, I am not following any of the golf nor cricket. I am relying solely on clairvoyance. Luckily, it's pretty accurate so far.

Another shot looking like going for Lee. So often he gets off to a good start and then falls away. Oh well.

Blimey, he holed a putt! Still clinging on!

God damn it Lee.

SmithersJones wrote:Another shot looking like going for Lee. So often he gets off to a good start and then falls away. Oh well.

Not really on day one..

Hold on there ...

One's the #2 golfer in the world now, the other a very part time player. Just awful for Rory.

Love this course.

Surprise, surprise...Hanson's out after 5 holes...
Whoever might be right or wrong, that whole story feels wrong...

Par is at tied 26th. Will people be complaining about the setup, if not already. I dont know if the spectacle of the open in comparison to some other competitions is the same.

what do you mean?

to easy for a major or to hard(not enough birdeis?

ANyway this course is alot harder at the moment than it was early days!!

Shotrock wrote:Saw some of the Gee Whiz FIGJAM Phil press conference. I need some salt to balance all this sugar. Did he just say he was the last player to win a tournament before a major?

The last player to win a major after winning a tournament the week before...

Yeah the whole hate-love thing .. who is he trying to convince, himself?

Customary bogey 6 for Lee, back to level at the turn. Why I care I really don't know, I wish I didn't.

Anyone else listening to Radio 5 live commentary? Jesus Christ it's annoying. I wish they would just stay with the golf for longer than 10 minutes, without a news broadcast, weather update, traffic update, Tour de France update, or cricket update. So annoying.

Hanson really screwing around, denying Luiten a spot, just because of the 15 min requirement on the PGA tour. You've got to feel for Luiten, hanging around all week and after Hanson's initial annoucement it really looked like a place in the field for him. 19th on the R2D and 77 in the world, barely missing out in all respect

Westwood is now all over the shop. Sad, but that really has to be it for him and majors now, I fear.

SmithersJones wrote:Westwood is now all over the shop. Sad, but that really has to be it for him and majors now, I fear.

 Don't speak too soon smithers! Just holed out that long par save putt

Nah, seen it too often. He'll drop one or two coming in and we won't see much of him for the rest of the week.

I'm know you're right, but damn it I don't want you to be.

Just one major. That's all I want for him. One.

Would only be right, but doesn't look like ever happening sadly. As to who might win this one, still plenty of contenders.

Missed a short one! There he goes, off into the sunset.

Is Kapur playing a different course?

SmithersJones wrote:Nah, seen it too often. He'll drop one or two coming in and we won't see much of him for the rest of the week.

seen it to often in majors!!

have you only just started watching golf- One of the most contended players over the last 5 years mate!! he drops off very late normally!!

Great par putt by LW.

Well in this. The early players had the conditions and 1 over is going to be no problem end of today!

Hoepfully the conditions will copy themselves tommorow and we will have a fair situation(as the late will go out early etc)

McLaren wrote:Anyone else think Andrew cotter is a fine commentator?

He's a complete clown, though he is better at golf commentating on the golf than the rugby.

You're right, Mysti, he normally manages to get one decent round in before capitulating, today it was more like 6 holes.

He is 1 over par!!

well in it! what are you watching mate?

Kapur shiv is 6 under par through 7- hasnt anyone told him that its tough out there!

To be honest most of the field can't be ruled out until about this time tomorrow, apart from Kapur scoring has been much tougher for the afternoon starters, so assuming the R&A don't get cold feet and try to soften it up it should be all change tomorrow.

The afternoon's a good 3 shots harder, scolded greens and 20mph winds.

Westwood saves himself yet again with a putt  

Another amazing par putt by lee. Really holding this together!

This from Poulter on pin placements; "8th hole is a joke. 18th needs a windmill & clown face."

Time to man up!

Poulter is a moaning old man sausage

Atta boy Tiger!

Poults is just funny. And that was funny!

LW sort out your long game mate!!

Putting very very nicely!

They should have put Poulters face above the windmill as it is even more hideous than a clowns. Muppet!

Nice break Charl  

great bogey putt.

but!!! he has to sort his swing out

Ian baker Finch putting coach!!I think Ill start and ill probably be better and cheaper.
Toughish day though one for the slow smooth swingers and dead weight putters.
Should be a great weekend

Kupar has clearly seen his name on the top of the leaderboard and probally feels as though he has just eaten a double Phal!

Oh well i hope he stays under par! exeptional start!

6 iron 207 yards. It's a different world! No overall favourite yet I'd say.

Woods 300 3 iron to set up an eagle chance  

Out of the top 13 players, 9 Americans, 2 Spaniards, an Indian and an Argentinian. Well done UK, Australia, Ireland, South Africa, Germany, Scandinavia, France and Italy!

all the hate for poults.. Have you numbnuts forgot about the ryder cup allready.



Get behind the poults - good position in this as well

themightyone wrote:Out of the top 13 players, 9 Americans, 2 Spaniards, an Indian and an Argentinian. Well done UK, Australia, Ireland, South Africa, Germany, Scandinavia, France and Italy!

 
Its day one

Woods is killing it out there. Fav at the moment