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'.

do i lay him off and take a grand!!


I can't do it this time.. I have to ride westy out..

When you need to make an example of someone for slow play, make sure you pick a young Asian.................pathetic.

I like Johnson Wagner. I have thought Westwood and tiger have seemed slow. Would like to see them penalized. To show that the R&A have balls.

Westy playing some inspired golf, but he'll need to manage major pressure come tomorrow. Tiger plenty familiar with that, but not sure about Lee.

Adam Scott?

hunter mahan was highly tipped for this and he hasnt let us down..

Westy has been a bit ragged at the end - but an inspired bogey putt that will feel like a birdie..

Scott right in the hunt. Woods playing beautifully controlled golf.

Westy possibly playing the best golf out of the top guys but is just hiting the odd flaky shot. He clearly looks the most vunerable,


Its going to be a humdinger!

another great putt.. Well played westy. just deal with the last and we are in great shape!

How for behind are the last group..where is the penalty??? Westwood to lose you'd say can he handle the pressure?? +2 players have an outside chance as no-one is likely to go below 68. Should be an interesting day tommorow.

Why the heck is he talking to this women at this point. She asks cringe worthy questions..


Yes last group we could give a pen to. But your point about giving tiger and lee pens- no - not a chance! they played at speed

tigers interview much more realistic than phils..

Westwood and woods where put on the clock so not quite up to speed. It'd been attritional golf but I would like to see a few more birdie chances.

I think many groups were to be honest.

It happens- but those two are way to experienced to take to long once warned.

That was the problem with the young lad here and at the masters- once you are on the clock - you get on with the game!

Come on Westwood

Stephanie Wei ‏@StephanieWei 26m
Japanese press says Matsuyama took extra time because he had hit a spectator and was making sure the guy was OK and signing a glove for him.

If this is true!!!! That is a huge mistake from the R&A

Strange . Because that isnt what his playing partner stated .

I'm in a bit of a spot.
I would like a Brit to win the Open => Westwood
I would like records to be broken => Woods
I have money on one who is close => Mahan.

I will be engrossed tomorrow.

Consistent with what popped up on the BBC text feed:

Hideki Matsuyama, who finished three over, tried to put the disappointment of being penalised a shot behind him, but admitted he had been slightly distracted by an incident on the 17th when his drive hit someone in the crowd.

"I feel very sorry that it happened," he said. "After the tee shot I hit some spectators, I signed my glove and gave it him or her. It took me a little while to figure out what to do with the second shot and that is when it (the penalty) happened.

"One stroke is a really big deal at this stage but I will do my best tomorrow to do the best I can."

Right so he is saying that he took long on the shot due to being distracted from hitting someone. previously. Thats just an excuse tbh. means nothing. Sirbenson makes it sound as if he was penalised because he took time to see if the spectator was ok.

mystiroakey wrote:Right so he is saying that he took long on the shot due to being distracted from hitting someone. previously. Thats just an excuse tbh. means nothing. Sirbenson makes it sound as if he was penalised because he took time to see if the spectator was ok.

I was quoting someones tweet tbf!

Sorry Stephanie Wei..

Can't believe the way Westwood is playing around the greens. I don't fancy Woods tomorrow. He'll need to be a little more aggressive than he's been. Scott or Mahan for me.

http://www.irishgolfdesk.com/news-files/2013/7/20/garcia-slams-handbrake-harrington.html

Garcia still bitter 5 years later I see.

Yes, I know Harrington is a slow golfer but Garcia has a go at a player for slow play for the first time I can remember and it happens to be someone who beat him twice in a major to win it. Nah, I don't buy his comments!

garcia is depressed- dont take anything he says without a pinch of salt.

And Steve Williams will try to take his 15th major.... Paired with Woods.

A two shot lead on this course will be hard to peg back if Westwood plays a steady game. Brandt Snedeker is the only player to score two rounds of under 70 this week and another under 70 round tomorrow will put him in the running for a win.

Westwood will blow it, we all know that. Be lucky to make the top 5

remain positive..

This one is hunters.

top round yesterday from the hunter.


been there or thereabouts a couple of times recently.. Only marginally mentally scarred!

Scott clearly the one that should be able to play without any monkies on his back!

Westwood 62nd in GIR......Shows how far he has come putting and short game wise.....Although he was poor at the Travelers Championship putting wise.....but I would say that is more down to having played the US open the week before!

Greens in Reg - a meaningless stat on a course playing like Muirfield. It's far better to be off the green in a good place than on the green with a downhill downwind putt.

I don't know about you guys, but my nerves are gone already. What a championship its been already and the cream has certainly risen to the top. I hope the man from Worksop can bringthis one home. Come on LW1do it for Cloughie!

My nerves were shot half way through yesterdays round 'Be the ball!!'

I mentioned the cream would rise in this one, I mentioned lee would win..

I am half right so far.,

10 guys under par today so far. Maybe the course is a bit easier today.

I think it will get tougher for the later starters, which really could help the lads out on course earlier!

I hope you are 100% right come the end of today Mysti!!!

Me too.. I am very emotionally and financially involved in this!!

rooting for westwood. Followed him for a bit on Friday morning and his ball striking was sublime. Have a feeling Scott will push hard, perhaps 69/70. Suspect woods may fall with a 73/74. No idea what Mahan will conjure 68-78 just as likely. Fancy snedeker to go low out of the chasing pack.

Graeme McDowell post picture of pin positions. Here they are.. Looks like at only a couple of holes that they are in the middle of the green.

Once the Bishop from caddy shack gets a mention you know its going to be a good day..

Peter Dawson just got owned by Hazel.

McLaren wrote:Peter Dawson just got owned by Hazel.

The "slow play" stuff of "men only" stuff?

If hazel pwned anyone ever in her life I am a plus 12 handicap golfer.

Nice girl- worst commentator  of all time. I had to turn the coverage off when she was flicking through newspapers salivating over the the media and the open and westy..

Come on Westy, never going to have a better chance than this really. Time to break the jinx surely.

Good luck Lee Westwood.  

Golden chance for him, may never get a better one.

Big day for Dunlop. Could see sales rocket. Pardew must be cheering Westwood. I don't get why people cheer so much for tiger. He is the man utd of golf. Liked Gordon being good as no other reason to like.

Poults is on one massive charge!!

Poulter only two off the lead now!

Westy looking a bit ragged off the tee into bunker on par five camera showed his swing across the line .Par will probably do it caddie needs to do his job.Should be a great afternoon

That 3i in Dyna was majestic, and the putt to back it up!! Get in Westy!!