The Open Championship

First topic message reminder :

Congratulations to Henrik Stenson!

I wonder if Vijay's been sniffing deer antler spray again:

http://www.golfchannel.com/news/golf-central-blog/singhs-errant-tee-shot-sends-dawsons-caddie-hospital/

McLaren wrote:Kwini

Someone clearly p*ssed mcilroy off.

He went on to say.

"“I’m very happy with the decision I made. I have no regrets. I’ll probably watch the Olympics. But I’m not sure golf will be one of the events I watch.”"


Not sure he has any regrets about dissing the olympics.

When asked what events he WOULD watch he said something like "track and field, swimming, diving - the events that matter"

Now he may be correct, but am I the only one who thinks he needs a good PR advisor or someone who can keep his tiny mind from spouting off?

Rory doesn't want to grow the game - but he clearly wants to grow his biceps. Maybe that's why he (and others) will be staying away: olympic drug testing.

I have seen drug testing being mentioned by some people about why people are withdrawing!

Mcilroy also did mention golf should have more stringent drug testing!

McLaren wrote:Kwini

Someone clearly p*ssed mcilroy off.

He went on to say.

"“I’m very happy with the decision I made. I have no regrets. I’ll probably watch the Olympics. But I’m not sure golf will be one of the events I watch.”"


Not sure he has any regrets about dissing the olympics.

Don't blame him for those comments at all. Golf at the Olympics is as bad an example of the Olympic ideal as Dressage.

Hope it dies a death and something more deserving like Squash gets in in its place.

Come on now, dressage was quite good in London (more interesting than the marathon - ooh look, some people are running!), at least it's the pinnacle of that discipline. We get plenty of opportunities to see golf played at a good standard week in, week out. It seems unnecessary to have it at the Olympics. I would also take out tennis and football. However things like sailing, hockey, kayaking etc, need the Olympics to keep their sports in the public eye.

Super, I agree. Has anyone ever bothered to define what "grow the game" even means. When tours and the like spout that line I assume they mean TV audience and in turn money into their own bank account.

Has anyone ever picked up a club for the first time with the intention of making sure a few more Asians join a club?

Rory as usual being honest and saying what everyone is thinking. This makes him far more interesting and engaging than 90% of other athletes who stick to what they learnt in media training and only speak in platitudes.

He'll probably regret what he's said, these things tend to come back and bite him (Ryder Cup is just an exhibition?) but I hope he keeps his couldn't give a f**k approach.

It's certainly better than the usual "paint by numbers" press conference and interviews that people give.

Good for him,

why does he court this controversy in the lead up to the biggest week of his year? just give a mundane answer for now and if he really feels the need to get something of his chest he can do it next year.

What does it matter? Why would he cower away simply because it's Open week. If he's been asked a question, what reason would he have to sidestep?

What does he have to gain by being dishonest?

It doesn't affect The Open at all.

I heard what he said about growing the game, it actually wasn't that bad. He said he didn't get in to golf to grow the game, but he accepts the responsibility as a top player. He just doesn't fancy the Olympics. I heard on the radio that when tennis went in to the Olympics only 3 of the top 10 played it. Now the majority do.

Mcilroy's comments were stupid, just because he is honest doesn't mean he shouldn't face criticism for not keeping quiet!

What does everyone think the winning score will be?

I don't see how it's stupid, just because he's a professional golfer, doesn't mean he isn't entitled to express his opinion. Why should he keep quiet? Golf needs people speaking out.

He's not under contract to support every twist and turn the game takes. He's not an apologist for golf or golf's governing bodies, nor is he required to promote it.

Seems like people expect people like McIlroy to be some sort of ambassador who does everything the governing bodies tell him to, well screw that, he's his own man.

The only thing I'd have a go at him for is if he's hiding behind zika, when it appears he doesn't fancy it anyway.

sirbenson wrote:What does everyone think the winning score will be?

McIlroy 2 Journalists 1.

On the golf
Day 1 leader -6
Day 2 leader -9
Day 3 leader -8
Day 4 Winner -8

All depends on how much it blows and when.

Winning score will be 254 Hogie, you should know that.

It's a bit of a shame that he made all the fuss about being proud to represent Ireland all those months ago, and now has done a runner anyway. Not GB's loss after all.

I wonder also if Rory's drug comments are in the context of him knowing that some guys are taking things and getting away with it?
Conspiracy theory as ever!

Super

For once I think everything you have posted is spot on.  No point in the top players pretending that they think Olympic golf is a good idea.  

Tiger grew the game for the pro game - increased prize funds/TV deals etc - but did the participation rates go up over his reign?

If Tiger can't manage to "grow the game" then what chance has Rory got?


Kwini

I guess Rory might argue that in the correct context representing ireland would make him proud?

As for PED's in golf it is a long time since Player made his remarks on the issue and I wonder what he thinks these days?

I, too, am amused by "grow the game" responsibility. Kind of reminds me when Tiger (remember him) was in his prime ... a number of people would be quick to point out "he's not bigger than the game". What the heck does that mean? We're all "bigger" than the game: no one plays the game, there is no game.

I interpret the meaning of no one is bigger than the game comment is, that whatever will always exist after Tiger etc retire or Serena in tennis, yes both are just superstars but both sports will still have a future afterwords...dunno if that makes any sense

hogie wrote:

sirbenson wrote:What does everyone think the winning score will be?

McIlroy 2 Journalists 1.

On the golf  
Day 1 leader -6
Day 2 leader -9
Day 3 leader -8
Day 4 Winner -8

All depends on how much it blows and when.

Agreed about that score, looks like wind is expected to be quite strong from Friday

Very true, people will always say stuff like, there will never be another player like Sampras, then came Federer, then Nadal, then Djokovic. Same happens in every sport.

The sport tries to grow itself on the back of players, not the other way around, players don't actively try to grow the game.

9C was lucky in some ways, not just because he was totally different and dominated, but also because he came along at the same time as a Sky/Broadband/Media coverage revolution which benefitted every sport at the same time, but was especially useful for dragging golf out of it's fuddy duddy image a touch.

super_realist wrote:Winning score will be 254 Hogie, you should know that.

are they only playing 3 and a half rounds this year

Anyone looked into the weather forecast sufficiently to know whether late/early or early/late might be more advantageous over the first 2 days?

Looks like Thursday all day will be nice no major wind.. Friday morning will be better weather than Friday afternoon.

So being out early on Friday looks like being and advantage.

SmithersJones wrote:Anyone looked into the weather forecast sufficiently to know whether late/early or early/late might be more advantageous over the first 2 days?

http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/forecast/gcueyktkr#?fcTime=1468454400
http://www.myweather2.com/Golf-Courses/United-Kingdom/Ayrshire/Royal-Troon-Golf-Club/14-Day-Forecast.aspx

I used both of these and tbh to me it looks 50/50 for the first two days, with Friday to Sunday there being a strong enough wind!

super_realist wrote:Very true, people will always say stuff like, there will never be another player like Sampras, then came Federer, then  Nadal, then Djokovic. Same happens in every sport.

The sport tries to grow itself on the back of players,  not the other way around, players don't actively try to grow the game.

9C was lucky in some ways, not just because he was totally different and dominated, but also because he came along at the same time as a Sky/Broadband/Media coverage revolution which benefitted every sport at the same time, but was especially useful for dragging golf out of it's fuddy duddy image a touch.

Federer>>>>Nadal and Djokovic but that is a debate for another day!

As much as you dislike Tiger you have to admit he has helped Golf grow and appeal to a larger audience

Anyone with any doubt about Tiger growing the game should listen to the Charlie Howell podcast I linked a week or so ago - we all know the impact on TV audiences and tournament purses; one just hope that there'll be some growth at grass roots level among the new generation, black as well as white. Not much sign here in the US.


Imagine Rory's management company have some stats about the impact Rory, together with Clarke and McDool, have had on growing the game in Northern Ireland, especially the economic impact. Wouldn't be at all surprised to see him emulate Faldo in sponsoring a young players' programme as well.

I have a friend who works with the TV company covering the golf. He walks ahead of the camera crew covering a group. He "spots" each of their shots and then tells the TV crew where the balls are and in which order they will play. The crew can then get in position as soon as possible, and know where to go next. He is out tomorrow with Mickelson, Els and Westwood. I said I would look out for him, but he tells me that if he is seen on TV he gets a "telling off" - shall we say.

He does a couple of trips a year with European Tour Productions, and he knows of some people who go all over the world doing it. (Other roles are available, e.g. microphone holding, drinks replenisher etc). But it depends on which venue and who is sponsoring the tournament as to how much you have to pay in terms of flights and accommodation. (i.e. you have to pay your own way most of the time).

What's, of course, impossible to tell here in the US is if, without Tiger, golf would be going the way of bowling.

True, no major growth at the grass roots level in the game, but no major loss either.

Kwini, GJ wanted to say hello to you, he tried to register here two days ago but hasn't got any confirmation mail from here! Bizarre

sirb,
The Aussie Stud!!
Can't see any reason this Board would reject anyone. I expect he'd've narrowed The Open down to Scott, Leishman, Hend, Chalmers, Fraser with a saver for Badds at Barbasol thrown in . . . . . .

Haha it's strange he said he hasn't got a reply! You forgot Jason Day as well

Of course; glad you guys are in touch. Hope he returns to spice things up a little.

Indeed Kwini! Social media is great! Without Twitter we would have lost contact when 606 and My Tennis Lounge shut down for good

Someone tweeted that Chris Wood is apparently a possible late withdrawal

Dustin Johnson can become #1 in the OWGR by winning and Jason Day finishing the outside the Top 10.

I wish Rory had said that he was going to play the Olympics because it is corrupt organization almost as bad as FIFA.

I think the Olympics has been a thorn in Rory's side as soon as he started getting grilled be the media on whether he was going to play for Ireland or Great Britain.

Sounds like Chris Wood hit balls for the first time today for a week and will have a fitness test Thursday morning. As reported by BBC Bristol.
Looking forward to waking up tomorrow morning to see what's been happenin'.

kwinigolfer wrote:Sounds like Chris Wood hit balls for the first time today for a week and will have a fitness test Thursday morning. As reported by BBC Bristol.
Looking forward to waking up tomorrow morning to see what's been happenin'.

Hopefully Chris Wood tees it up and doesn't scupper his chances of a Ryder Cup spot as might happen with Koepka and Berger!

https://twitter.com/TheOpen/status/753333307182575616

Here are the Open Pin Positions for Day 1, let the fun and games begin!!

Is there any chance to put this in the Announcement and Sticky part of the Golf Forum?

What a disaster of a start from Monty! Bunkers look brutal!

Looks like the europeantour.com leaderboard is struggling already! They have a desktop "widget" thing that seems to be working, but no live scores on the main leaderboard yet!

http://www.theopen.com/Leaderboard#!/traditional

Here is a good up to date scoreboard!

Monty's group flying around!

Good recovery from Monty. 4 birdies to follow that double at the first.

I'm never wrong wrote:Good recovery from Monty. 4 birdies to follow that double at the first.

Yep, indeed! Donald looks to be playing quite well too!

Never really been that familiar with Troon, but already it's looking like capable of producing some drama. What a change from last year, and the weather is about as benign as you could get. No 59's here.

sirbenson wrote:http://www.theopen.com/Leaderboard#!/traditional

Here is a good up to date scoreboard!

Thanks - that's a decent one!