The Open Championship 2017

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Round 4 Tee Times
07:55 Danny Willett
08:05 Sung-hoon Kang, Aaron Baddeley
08:15 Thorbjorn Olesen, Sean O'Hair
08:25 Russell Henley, Kevin Kisner
08:35 Bernd Wiesberger, Charl Schwartzel
08:45 Mike Lorenzo-Vera, Webb Simpson
08:55 Kent Bulle, Laurie Canter
09:05 Soren Kjeldsen, J.B. Holmes
09:15 Martin Kaymer, Jimmy Walker
09:25 Daniel Berger, Xander Schauffele
09:40 James Hahn, Joseph Dean
09:50 Toby Tree, Andy Sullivan
10:00 Lee Westwood, Young-Han Song
10:10 Justin Rose, Gary Woodland
10:20 Yi-Keun Chang , Adam Scott
10:30 Jon Rahm, Andrew Dodt
10:40 KT Kim, Peter Uihlein
10:50 Alfie Plant, Brandon Stone
11:00 Charley Hoffman, Zach Johnson
11:10 Thomas Pieters, Bubba Watson
11:25 Ernie Els, Haotong Li
11:35 Steve Stricker, Kevin Na
11:45 Chris Wood, Thongchai Jaidee
11:55 Matthew Southgate, David Drysdale
12:05 Marc Leishman, Tommy Fleetwood
12:15 Jamie Lovemark, Joost Luiten
12:25 Sergio Garcia, Matthew Fitzpatrick
12:35 Andrew Johnston, Paul Casey
12:45 Tony Finau, Jason Dufner
12:55 Jason Day, Scott Hend
13:10 Shaun Norris, Richard Bland
13:20 Alex Noren, Rickie Fowler
13:30 Ian Poulter, Richie Ramsay
13:40 Rory McIlroy, Ross Fisher
13:50 Rafael Cabrera-Bello, Chan Kim
14:00 Henrik Stenson, Dustin Johnson
14:10 Hideki Matsuyama, Branden Grace
14:20 Brooks Koepka, Austin Connelly
14:30 Matt Kuchar, Jordan Spieth

No I think Poulter could have got a lot more sirb

Tough few holes for Oosthuisen: double bogey, bogey, triple bogey (on a par 5). Ouch!

Clarke had 38 putts...yikes

Really, I think Poulter has certainly made the most of his talent...but I suppose it's all down to opinion

beninho wrote:Who has played Birkdale then, is it as tough as it seems. Last two winners there had even and +3, I was reading predictions about -10/-12 winning, surely that is unlikely?

Yes, only the once though, top top class track and I got it on a lovely mild November morning that got breezier as the day progressed. It was the day of the 3 priests encounter (remind me to relay the story when the boards are quieter and I'm less busy at work - I still chuckle now when I recall it).

Masterclass of iron play from Spieth

Super I bow to thy superior knowledge of all things sporting

sirbenson wrote:

Davie wrote:

wiretapper wrote:Sometimes it takes a scare to remind you it can all be taken away very quickly. Poulter is a talented player, his Ryder Cup exploits confirm that, so it should come as no surprise that he is back challenging again.

In the past he has got caught up too much in being Ian Poulter rather than a talented golfer. His brush with lost status looks to have sharpened his focus considerably.

I'd say that is a very accurate assessment. No I don't think he was (or will be) a total world beater, but as you say he is undoubtedly a very talented golfer. Can he go on and have a better final day than last week (if still in contention on Sunday)? I'm not sure, but he certainly deserves a shot at it. Expect a Hollywood movie to come out of it if he goes on and wins ;-)

Do you both think Poulter may have got as much out of his game as he most possibly can?

Poulter is the Robbie Savage of golf. Maybe not as talented as others but prepared to graft. However, hard work alone only goes so far, he has more talent than he is given credit for.

Looking at the forecast I'm guessing there will be a suspension of play at some point tomorrow, wind gusting to over 40 will move balls on greens will it not??

I'm sure the wind was 30-40 mph quite a bit at Birkdale in 08...

beninho wrote:Who has played Birkdale then, is it as tough as it seems. Last two winners there had even and +3, I was reading predictions about -10/-12 winning, surely that is unlikely?

Yes I've played, only the once (last year). Really enjoyed it, and didn't find it too scary, although obviously not playing off the championship tees. It's a par 72 for us mere mortals, 6 and 18 are par 5's. 6 is playing as a 499 par 4 at the Open which is seriously tough even for the pros as the green is well protected and designed as a par 5. 18 on the other hand is quite an easy finishing hole for us amateurs: 475 yard par 5, generally wind assisted, big green. I hit a really poor tee shot on 18, blocked it high to the right, only went 200 yards max and 40 yards off target, but I was able to hit a 3 wood from the championship fairway that finished pretty close to the green and pitch on to give me a decent look at birdie.

There are a few tees which are quite intimidating, eg the 1st played with a strong left to right breeze and oob all down the right, but if you get a decent drive away it was fine after that. I managed to use the same ball all the way round, which was pretty surprising, although I do remember a bit of hunting in the rough. Like all links courses, the weather is the biggest challenge.

What I found hilarious was that Birkdale (and Hoylake too) are quite posh exclusive clubs, but they are all scousers. However posh they may feel they are, to me they sounded like shell suit wearing chavs.

JAS wrote:Looking at the forecast I'm guessing there will be a suspension of play at some point tomorrow, wind gusting to over 40 will move balls on greens will it not??

If they know it's going to be windy tomorrow then maybe they won't cut the greens. Think they did this at St Andrews a couple of years ago? Most of the greens are sheltered in the dunes, not many are exposed.

raycastleunited wrote:

JAS wrote:Looking at the forecast I'm guessing there will be a suspension of play at some point tomorrow, wind gusting to over 40 will move balls on greens will it not??

If they know it's going to be windy tomorrow then maybe they won't cut the greens. Think they did this at St Andrews a couple of years ago? Most of the greens are sheltered in the dunes, not many are exposed.

If it's wet as well, then the balls are less likely to be affected by the wind, on the greens that is. The golfers putting might be affected more.

My call for the Rory resurrection looks a tad premature. Early days still ...

Wonderful stuff from Jordan but tomorrow could be a bloodbath if the wind comes up as predicted.

Surely Rory Mcilroy hasnt become crap at golf overnight, there must be something in the background. Pregnancy/miscarriage other issues. Its a bit strange.

Ben

I am not sure Rory has got "crap" overnight but he has declined from his peak over the last 3 years.

He has having a Poopie at present, and missed 3 out of 4 cuts, by even his declining standards he is playing crap. I dont see how it is just golf related. There must be more in the background or he isnt over his rib injury properly.

McLaren wrote:Ben

I am not sure Rory has got "crap" overnight but he has declined from his peak over the last 3 years.

Certainly not playing as good as three years ago, but is it realistic to expect anyone to keep up crazy levels of form? The 9C, Mickelson, Djokovic, Murray, McIlroy peaks just don't last forever.

Maybe it's a permanent decline for Rory?

The afternoon starters with near perfect conditions

Great comeback from rory.

Elidih Barbour is a bit easier on the eye than Hazel Irvine.

Nice one super. I wonder what goes on in your head.
Just seen Hideki Matsus something in a pinstripe waistcoat just back from a night out with Justin Thomas in Blackpool.
Cacking useless putt by McIlroy from a hollow when it was crying out for a lob.Great shot from Day to a few inches.
How much is Sky TV -whilst I'm at work

Has anyone used the Open website to look at the scoring? The ET could learn a lot. Fascinating amount of detail. Go to the player stats.....

dynamark wrote:How much is Sky TV -whilst I'm at work

I think one sports channel pack is available for around £18 per month. But I think you have to subscribe to the basic Sky package (£22?) as well. I expect there is a one off set up fee as well.

I'm never wrong wrote:Has anyone used the Open website to look at the scoring? The ET could learn a lot. Fascinating amount of detail. Go to the player stats.....

Agree 100%

raycastleunited wrote:
However posh they may feel they are, to me they sounded like shell suit wearing chavs.

When you think about it's shocking the scousers have 3 courses on the Open rota.

Apparently some intern at Golf Channel (or is it a Sky Sports Graphic) mistook RSA as initial for Russia instead of South Africa

Spoiler:

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Probably a Senate select committee . . . . . . . .

I'm never wrong wrote:Has anyone used the Open website to look at the scoring? The ET could learn a lot. Fascinating amount of detail. Go to the player stats.....

So true! The player stats and course stats are very well done! One small complaint is the lack of play by play but the rest is of the highest level!

Monty is a big miss for Sky imo....does he still work for the golf channel?

GPB wrote:Apparently some intern at Golf Channel (or is it a Sky Sports Graphic) mistook RSA as initial for Russia instead of South Africa

Spoiler:

I'm surprised they didn't have a Swastika for Germany.

dynamark wrote:Nice one super. I wonder what goes on in your head.
Just seen Hideki Matsus something in a pinstripe waistcoat just back from a night out with Justin Thomas in Blackpool.
Cacking useless putt by McIlroy from a hollow when it was crying out for a lob.Great shot from Day to a few inches.
How much is Sky TV -whilst I'm at work

Justin Thomas would have looked dapper if he hadn't been wearing a cap. It's like turning up to a job interview in a suit and wearing a cap. A clash of styles which just looks silly.

Thomas isn't going to give up his cap sponsor cash. Maybe he could have gone with a bowler?

However with N. Ireland not that far away, perhaps not such a good idea...

Perhaps a flat cap would have been more apt.
I'm surprised more golfer don't ditch the cap inspite of the money. Most golfers I know don't wear hats and these guys are quick to jettison them in Ryder Cup (well the Europeans anyway)

I liked the Justin Thomas outfit but yeah it would have been better with an old fashioned hat to go with it

What do you all think the leading score will be at the end of today? I will go with -7 and it being Spieth

Probably around -7, but hopefully not Spieth.

What happened to Monty? Did he go in a huff because he wasn't allowed to call people racist?

As much respect as I have for Monty I thought he was a terrible commentator; constantly tripping over his words, every sentence prefixed with an extended uuuhhhh. Maybe someone high up at Sky sports agreed with me.

As for the leading score at the end of the day, I think it might come in. If these are the day's best conditions I don't see many sub 70 rounds out there. Especially with the par 5s with crosswinds today.

Maybe Monty's contract was up! I don't know maybe Ryder Cup captains only get a contract for a certain amount...hopefully that means McGinley is gone soon

Good point about the par 5s....does one not run in the opposite direction though?

Yeah sorry meant crosswinds, edited the post

That is true! And they made that point...I wasn't educated enough to realise they were crosswinds...

I'm going for a cut of +3/4

wiretapper wrote:As much respect as I have for Monty I thought he was a terrible commentator; constantly tripping over his words, every sentence prefixed with an extended uuuhhhh. Maybe someone high up at Sky sports agreed with me.

As for the leading score at the end of the day, I think it might come in. If these are the day's best conditions I don't see many sub 70 rounds out there. Especially with the par 5s with crosswinds today.

I meant Monty's Merkin of this Parish.

He called me a racist and then seemed to run away.

Cut line currently +1, I'd hazard a guess it'll end up +4. Reckon -4 will lead at the end of today

Speith apparently has a terrible 2nd round record

Fair enough Super, I've not been here long enough to remember all the regular posters and genuinely thought you meant the real Monty.

As for the cut line I agree around +4 looks likely. A lot of short putts missed so far with the wind already causing havoc.

I missed that wire, I assumed Colin Monty - explains why I didn't "get" it I suppose.

A bit like Monty and Majors. (Colin this time)

Hadwin has just gone triple, triple