THE OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

First topic message reminder :

Congrats to Zach Johnson

You're just fortunate that you don't have to watch ESPN's coverage and the mindless prattle from Mike Tirico, not to mention the endless ads and promotions. Although it's great to hear Andy North's and Zinger's insights, both among the top level of commentators.
International leaderboard but you'd never notice it from the US coverage.

Davie, what a very very silly comment. With 4 matches on the course they don't do what they claim!
I am very grateful that Sky show more golf, with pretty much dedicated channel coverage. But feel the quality not the width! Much of their coverage is superficial, attempting to concentrate on the contenders. Drop a shot, you're out of the frame!
R&A said a couple of years ago that BBC had taken its eye off the ball, and lost some of the skills to show golf. I agree with that, they simply haven't done enough, and are employing who knows who to produce and direct etc, but even with standards declined they are every bit as good as Sky.

If you have an issue with Sky's claims you should take them up with Sky, not with me. I never claimed they show every shot - I claimed they give better coverage - and I'll still with that

Going back to Friday night, people told me that the only reason they dedicated the last 20 minutes of the program to Tom Watson, was that he was the only group left playing. I accept that, but it really bothered me that they didn't even bother to show the final leaderboard at the end of the Watson w*nkfest. Spieth and Dustbin had just finished 10 minutes earlier yet they didn't conclude the show with an up to date leaderboard.

Not exactly The Open Championship, but very happy for Rhys Davies that he's won the Challenge Tour event; second win of the season and should be enough to ensure his return to the European Tour.

So can anyone beat Spieth?

Beeb showed an interesting stat about DJ - his scoring per round in the Open (not sure how many years) R1 -11, R2 -9, R3 +6, R4 +6. So he has form for this deterioration in scoring, whatever its cause or best name.

BBC can't use 3 or 4 during the day as they're shared with the children's channels. I disagree that anything significant might happen before 1.30, not least because it can't take on any real significance until the leaders are out and responding to any potential move. 64 was the best score today from Leishman, and today was as easy as it's ever going to be. Rain forecast tomorrow so let's assume a 66 is the best possible score - if the leaders all stay on -12 that would mean the player has to be on -7, so DJ at 12.25 is the earliest player who might make a charge, and he'll have played maybe 6 holes by the time they go on air.

You've got to like Speith's chances but the same must be said of Louis and Jason. Other than them (I don't know enough about Paul Dunne to assume he'll do anything other than suddenly realise where he is!) it would take a very special round from someone on -9 like Rose, Garcia or Scott.

SmithersJones wrote:BBC can't use 3 or 4 during the day as they're shared with the children's channels. I disagree that anything significant might happen before 1.30, not least because it can't take on any real significance until the leaders are out and responding to any potential move. 64 was the best score today from Leishman, and today was as easy as it's ever going to be. Rain forecast tomorrow so let's assume a 66 is the best possible score - if the leaders all stay on -12 that would mean the player has to be on -7, so DJ at 12.25 is the earliest player who might make a charge, and he'll have played maybe 6 holes by the time they go on air.

You've got to like Speith's chances but the same must be said of Louis and Jason. Other than them (I don't know enough about Paul Dunne to assume he'll do anything other than suddenly realise where he is!) it would take a very special round from someone on -9 like Rose, Garcia or Scott.

I wouldn't rule out Harrington Smithers, especially if it rains. The quality of golf today was unreal and its still anyone's. However if Spieth plays like he did at ANGC & US Open it will be very hard to see past him. But its very much still all to play for. What an Open Championship its been so far...

Smithers,
Those BBC stats are flat out wrong.
Before this week his record was:
Round 1: +4 - so now -2
Round 2: -4 - so now -7 (largely due to a 65 at Hoylake)
Round 3: -3 - so now Even
Round 4: +11
(Rounds 3 & 4 largely due to a terrible weekend at Muirfield)

You'd better speak to them about that . . . . . lies, damn lies and statistics!

Agree about Harrington. And it looks as if the weather could deteriorate thru the afternoon, which could favour one of the -7's or -8's.

I think that if we looked at TOC as a Par 70 (and it played under that today) we'd look at it as a pretty demanding test - loved it so far!

Faldo piece on TV the other day had him saying when he last won at St A he regarded par as 67, when the weather was reasonably calm? I think a quote from the time, not now!

sirbenson wrote:A bit bizarre why they can't put it on BBC 3/4

BBC3 and 4 are on the same frequencies at the CBBC and Cbeebies so that is not an option. Not sure why they can't make room elsewhere though. Most of their morning schedule is repeats.

I said this morning with the low scores going in that The Open wouldn't be won today but it could be lost and that is what happened with Dustin Johnson. He was just unfortunate that when he had a bad round most of the others were getting -5/ -6.

As much as Spieth is a force at the moment...we seem to be forgetting that DJ capitulated at the U.S.! If someone like Padraig...Oost...Rose or Day etc gets in a position to capitalise/winning position I don't see them doing the same.

Regardless it's going to be a great day! Mind shame we will miss plenty again (not wanting to get into that debate just stating the obvious in terms of more golf on final day is always better). Anyone know if ESPN starts coverage earlier than BBC? Or any other channel American?

Spot form - wasn't unfortunate, he had a shocker plain and simple...he was +3...not like others shot well and he just had a even par or 1 under score!

Have to confess I agree with the comments re the BBC timing tomorrow. Coming on 45 mins before the leaders go is too late. With the leaderboard as bunched as it is plenty of important stuff could happen before 1.45

owenozzy,
Admit it!
You're just peed off because you picked him in Grumpy's game!!

ESPN starts at 6.00 a.m. EDT - that's 11.00 a.m. in Camden Passage.

I really hope Padraig can win it tomorrow!!!

http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/sport/paul-dunne-claimed-as-british-on-bbc-coverage-687218.html

Mark James is such an ignoramus.

Mark James is a clown and you always feel like he is about to say something that is out of touch

Kwini, IMO you are wrong about the commercials, at least in comparison to CBS/NBC and GC telecasts.

I usually watch the golf on DVR, so I can fast forward through the commercials.

Typically I can take the dog for a 15 minute walk and then catch up with real time in 30 minutes.

This morning I was burning some yard waste that accumulated, and I would go out every 10-15 minutes to make sure the fire was not getting out of hand and adding yard waste a little at a time.  5 minutes max.

I could never catch up to real time when I cam back inside.

I would guess there has been 50% less commercials on ESPN than NBC or CBS.

kwinigolfer wrote:Smithers,
Those BBC stats are flat out wrong.
Before this week his record was:
Round 1: +4 - so now -2
Round 2: -4 - so now -7 (largely due to a 65 at Hoylake)
Round 3: -3 - so now Even
Round 4: +11
(Rounds 3 & 4 largely due to a terrible weekend at Muirfield)

You'd better speak to them about that . . . . . lies, damn lies and statistics!

I think they said the last 3 years, and it was before he finished today, so it would be -11, -9, +7 and +6

Big bombers?
Only JB Holmes and Bubba Watson, among the owgr Top 25, failed to make the cut - of those 23 who played.

It's mundane stuff compared to The Open, but Donaldson, especially, and Westwood could really use low rounds on Monday, or else they'll be in increasing trouble securing their cards for next year.

It would just be fantastic if Dunne could pull this off today, even though he's a

So far, he's the only player to have 3 rounds in the 60's and looks like he's comfortable on TOC.

Saying that, this could potentially be the most Open St.Andrews in generations. A top class chasing pack from which any one of 30 odd players could take it.

For once a memorable TOC?

My only gripe is that I was supposed to be playing there today until the bloody weather stepped in and extended the tournament.

You'd have to fancy Spieth, but it would be nice if someone could break his streak, nothing more boring than one player winning everything.

Much being made in the media today about deteriorating weather conditions this afternoon and how this lets in someone with an earlier start.

The forecast I've seen though doesn't look to be deteriorating that much .. showers all day and the wind gradually picking up late afternoon but nothing that terrible I can see.

super_realist wrote:It would just be fantastic if Dunne could pull this off today, even though he's a

So far, he's the only player to have 3 rounds in the 60's and looks like he's comfortable on TOC.

Saying that, this could potentially be the most Open St.Andrews in generations. A top class chasing pack from which any one of 30 odd players could take it.

For once a memorable TOC?

My only gripe is that I was supposed to be playing there today until the bloody weather stepped in and extended the tournament.

You'd have to fancy Spieth, but it would be nice if someone could break his streak, nothing more boring than one player winning everything.

Maybe, but at least Spieth's success etc has knocked 9C's air time down to what's actually justified by his current play, so not all bad.

Great stories await, no matter where you look.

Day's 1st Major - would be richly deserved
Louis - the best swing in the game - TOC double?
Dunne - 1st Amateur since Bobby Jones
Speith - 3/4 of theway to a Grand Slam
Harrington - a remarkable warrior - his game was gone, he coundn't putt

Then there are the -9's.....Niebrugge the Amateur, Rose, Garcia, Zach, Goosen, Streb, Willett & Scott, Leishman.

Don't think it's possible for -8's or worse to win.

Winning score - I think -16 will get you a play-off at least.

Very true Navy, however the BBC are one of the biggest offenders in still having the world number 241 emblazoning much of their coverage, web sites etc. They certainly pander to the once a year golf "fan"

I'm thinking Rose or Garcia might come through today. Although, got a bet on Oosthuizen so wouldn't object to him winning.

There is only two people on -7/8 who I think have a shot at winning this DJ and Fowler (actually both are -7)

I'd give Matsuyama a chance from -7. He was on a birdie trail the other day.

True SR! I also suppose you can't rule out Patrick Reed either

I wouldn't fancy anyone worse than -7 though.

Yeah, 6 shots on this course with the amount of players ahead of -6 can't see anyone from that position winning (except Koepka)

So who is everyone's tip to win it then?

Hope it's Dunne

Branden Grace; -4 after 6 and breathing down the necks of the leaders at -6 total - and the BBC haven't shown a single shot. Can't wait for Sky to take over - I'm sure they'd do that thing you see in films where every TV in the world gets interrupted by the megalomaniac. Then we'd see every one of Branden's glorious shots!

On a more serious note, I have a sneaking suspicion about Charl Schwartzel.

Grace gets another birdie at 7!

SmithersJones wrote:On a more serious note, I have a sneaking suspicion about Charl Schwartzel.

Infuriating to watch. Always throws in 3 or 4 bad holes a round.

sirbenson wrote:So who is everyone's tip to win it then?

Spieth is the sensible choice, however if Harrington gets the smell of the Claret jug in his nostrils he will be tenacious and ruthless in equal measure.

John Cregan wrote:

SmithersJones wrote:On a more serious note, I have a sneaking suspicion about Charl Schwartzel.

Infuriating to watch. Always throws in 3 or 4 bad holes a round.

Yet he's still right up there. If he avoids those mistakes today he's got to have a shout - 7 birdies in rounds 1 & 3, 5 in round 2.

Already 5 players -4 or better for their 4th Round!

And one of them has made it into the top 20! I bet the leaders are sh1tting themselves!

sirbenson wrote:Grace gets another birdie at 7!

And another at 10. He's getting up there but I think he started from just too far back to mount a serious challenge.

Bob_the_Job wrote:

sirbenson wrote:Grace gets another birdie at 7!

And another at 10.  He's getting up there but I think he started from just too far back to mount a serious challenge.

Oh yeah, he has absolutely no chance but it just shows that the course is there for birdies once again unless the wind gets up

Who's going to win?
King Louis I hope.

Donaldson also at -6 for the day - and he needs a special round, spent too much time dining out on Ryder Cup success.

All these birdies yet might as well stick a sign in the corner of all BBC channels and put 'nothing to see here move along'...

Sorry but those who defended BBC over the weekend can't do so now! Don't care whether anyone thinks these early goers have a shot at the claret jug or not...all it takes is someone shooting themselves into 10 under or so and bad weather to hit and we could see a champion from the early tee times...of which we'd have seen nothing.

The whole sky vs BBC debate is for another time; but the fact it's another 3 hours before BBC picks up coverage of the FINAL day of the open is absolutely disgusting!

I think the Sky vs BBC debate should be for another day

Is it about defending the BBC or defending the need to have golf on free to air TV?

Edit: yes, debate is for another day on another thread

Hasn't Mac been very quiet?

Is there coverage of this anywhere at all? ESPN?

ESPN's coverage here begins at 11.00 a.m. (your time).