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'.

sorry when i say never - i don't mean never, i mean he hasn't in the past.. but i am sure he will tommorow

Oh, well he needs to start to win major(s) because it is likely he will play with a big player in RD3&4 of majors!

He seems to have putted as well as he has ever done. He needs to play a tad better from tee to green, because it will eventually put too much pressure on his short game and putting to keep saving him!

I still think when the heat is on his long game will be strong- Not sure about his putting so much.

Its all well and good improving your putting and puting that in to practise when the heat is off. But when the heat is on you go back to historical muscle/mental memories!


Fingers crossed his improved putting will continue and that amazing long game can come back a bit more final 2 days!

A few interesting Brit's with chances going into the 3rd round. Lee Westwood looking for a first major after a few near misses would be a big story. Martin Laird with the chance to follow Andy Murray in winning a major sporting competition for Scotland and Darren Clarke with the possibility of a second Open.

Disappointed that Cabrera dropped back. He would be a popular winner following the Masters playoff. Shiv Kapur has done well to make the cut. Shame he couldn't build on his first round. It would have been huge for Indian golf to have someone near the front of a major leaderboard going into the final two rounds.

Garrigus' putt on the 15th was really good.

They kept saying earlier that the wind had switched. Was it really easterly? Or was it blowing in a Westwood direction???

Wonder how the course will play for the late-starting leaders over the weekend.

Delighted to see that bible thumping lunatic Zach Frogface Johnson drop down the leaderboard a bit.

When the commentators proposed that Woods should be playing a little more aggressively I was in agreement with them having seen him play so conservatively. Was his game plan actually spot on?


If McIlroy had shot level par he would have been playing the weekend.

Good nightshift Mac?

Mysti, dont fall into the trap super did where he tried to guess the details of every aspect of my life. It eventually drove him mad.

No just winding you up mate- I know that one gets to you!!

It truly doesn't bother me what you do- However you are the first to guess about others!!

Anyway Mac

Its a great Open so far!!

Lets enjoy

 

Marvelous open so far.

Wont be tuning in until the man utd match has finished.

Man U game- what channel??

I take it you stream US TV!!

You see that is what winds me up about you- You are streaming that illegally and bang on like its immoral to own a telly. I spend 120 quid on my tv and internet a month and I bet you pay zip!!

/rantover..

13 Major winners in Top 33........................

John Cregan wrote:13 Major winners in Top 33........................

AND LEE WESTWOOD¬!!!!!

mysti

I mentioned my TV or lack of once, you have dragged it up many times since then not me. I assure you I have always paid my TV licence.

Ok thats fine(its been more than once though but I will let you off)- how are you watching the Man U game..

Answer it and I will drop it for ever!

PS its not really about the TV- its more about your morality. You are so quick to judge others , yet you are just as bad yourself. You sound like a vegetarian that has a pop about meat eaters then eats a fish for dinner and snacks on haribo after!!

online - but legally.

Is zaha playing?

let me know how he gets on if he does

He is playing and has pulled off a few nice tricks.

Better than this coverage of the "golf",

Thomas Bjorn, who i have a small each way investment in, moves to +3 after 9.

A level Par back nine would leave him in decent position.

Apparently the attendances are down on the last Open held at Muirfield. Some are blaming the £75 ticket prices.

not a bad place to start the blame is it!!

ridiculas

Poults is looking confident out there..

Great stuff from Peter Alliss ...

Phil talks forever to Bones about the next shot and finally hits his approach woefully short and into a deep pot bunker. Next camera shot is of Bones whipping the yardage book out of his back pocket, head down.

Alliss doesn’t skip a beat:  “Oh, hey, boss, look ... I’ve got the wrong course here.”

It has been great to hear peter alliss deal with the whining of the players this week.  Golf is often unwatchable without him. (and Ken Brown)

No one its lighting it up by the look of it!

The big boys have teed off. westy makes par, tiger with a longish birdie putt!

The £75 entry fee has everything to do with it, total rip-off! I live about 30 miles from Muirfield, and would like to have gone one of the four days, but once you pay the entry fee, plus £20 return on the train, and then whatever you spend once you get there, it's an expensive day out. Lying on the sofa watching on the tv, with a beer or 2 in the fridge, is by far a better option, and I don't think I'm the only one who has taken that view..

Watching the coverage from my portland hotel room.
American coverage is dismal.

I have no idea how the R&A can price it so high!

even if they had made less on the tickets(say 40 quid) but filled the golf course they would have made more overall in parking and merchandise etc

And either way even if it would have returned less turnover the tourny makes bundles- they have to give back!

You on work or holiday Sups?

BBC coverage excellent, although had to go onto the red button earlier to actually see some golf rather than listening to Faldo & Nobilo yabbering away......I also have sky but the joy of no adverts, and also no Ewan Murray or Bruce Critchley, makes the beeb's coverage miles better than anything sky could produce for this championship.

Holiday now mysti.

Good stuff mate, Enjoy- But you are missing exceptional weather!!

mystiroakey wrote:I have no idea how the R&A can price it so high!

even if they had made less on the tickets(say 40 quid) but filled the golf course they would have made more overall in parking and merchandise etc

And either way even if it would have returned less turnover the tourny makes bundles- they have to give back!

Some people try to justify the ticket price by comparing it to the price of going to a football match, without realising that football is massively over-priced these days as well! Taking Scottish football as an example, I used to go to Aberdeen games when they played Hearts or Hibs in Edinburgh; now a ticket costs £30-£35 so I, and many others, don't go. Put the price at a reasonable, affordable level and the crowds will come, same applies to the Open in my opinion..

Talking of ticket prices, I was thinking of taking a holiday in Scotland next year to coincide with the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles. A ticket to include the practice days (but excluding parking!) is £500 a person! That's a grand for me and the Mrs before we have even got in the car park! Are they having a laugh?

the ryder is on another level- You can get better deals to monaco F1!!

Nothing against laird. But I love it when a pro hacks it up like me on my Saturday round. Ominous when eldrick takes the lead.

mystiroakey wrote:Good stuff mate, Enjoy- But you are missing exceptional weather!!

So I see mysti, but ive been enjoying 30-40 everyday except for the toilet that is san francisco.

Nice!

How long are you out there for?

This is clearly not a birdie day!!

but westy has been killing the front for the first 2 rounds, so really needs to sort this out- because the backside is still a lot harder!

Brilliant up and down by lee- shot picked on the tiger.. par to bogey!

Nice start by Tiger! But LOTS of golf to play and this is really wide open.

Lovely shot by the mechanic. looking good

WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY

TTTTTTTTTTTTTTT

Goes above somewhere

3-shot lead all of a sudden..