The Open 2015 - St Andrews - July 16th-19th mod warning #201

Dolph Starbeam · 07-07-2015 8:19pm #1

The 144th Open Championship is nearly upon us.

All the talk for now is on Rory McIlroy, but it should be a good week with or without him, all of the pressure will be on Spieth, it would be amazing if he could do it.

Harrington, McIlroy, Lowry and McDowell are the Irish in the field.

I've got tickets for the Sunday again this year, already dreaming of fellow Offaly man Lowry winning it.

I may leave my step ladder at home though.

HighLine · 10-07-2015 10:46am

Less than a week to go.. can't wait. Random prediction time... expect Shane Lowry and Tommy Fleetwood to be up there come Sunday evening next week.

https://twitter.com/TheOpen/status/619427649245417472

Dolph Starbeam · 13-07-2015 1:37pm

Round 1 and 2 tee times have been released

http://www.theopen.com/TeeTimes#!/R1

Paul Dunne out with Todd Hamilton and James Hahn.

Lowry out with Goosen and Streelman.

McDowell out with Simpsona and Schniederjans.

Clarke out with Manassero and Langasque.

Harrington out with Marc Warren and Liamg Wen-Chong.

poteen · 13-07-2015 1:41pm

HighLine wrote: »

Less than a week to go.. can't wait. Random prediction time... expect Shane Lowry and Tommy Fleetwood to be up there come Sunday evening next week.

https://twitter.com/TheOpen/status/619427649245417472

Tommy Fleetwood....AKA. the slowest player on tour. My God he is painful to watch

coylemj · 13-07-2015 2:14pm

Here's hoping Tom Watson makes the cut and gets to walk up the 18th on Sunday. As the winner of five claret jugs he should get a rousing reception. Not forgetting Faldo, - sorry Sir Nick Faldo (3 wins) who will also be making his last appearance as a competitor.

Incidentally, Watson's five claret jugs and winner's gold medals are on display at the British Golf Museum in St. Andrews until the end of September.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgJTW1SvW04

http://www.theopen.com/NewsVideo/News/2015/06/Tom-Watson-brings-five-Claret-Jugs-to-St-Andrews-for-British-Golf-Museum-exhibition-in-his-honour

Mountjoy Mugger · 13-07-2015 2:19pm

coylemj wrote: »

Here's hoping Tom Watson makes the cut and gets to walk up the 18th on Sunday. As the winner of five claret jugs he should get a rousing reception. Not forgetting Faldo, - sorry Sir Nick Faldo (3 wins) who will also be making his last appearance as a competitor.

Watson - a class act.

MikeSD · 13-07-2015 2:44pm

coylemj wrote: »

Here's hoping Tom Watson makes the cut and gets to walk up the 18th on Sunday. As the winner of five claret jugs he should get a rousing reception. Not forgetting Faldo, - sorry Sir Nick Faldo (3 wins) who will also be making his last appearance as a competitor.

Incidentally, Watson's five claret jugs and winner's gold medals are on display at the British Golf Museum in St. Andrews until the end of September.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgJTW1SvW04

http://www.theopen.com/NewsVideo/News/2015/06/Tom-Watson-brings-five-Claret-Jugs-to-St-Andrews-for-British-Golf-Museum-exhibition-in-his-honour

Faldo has more recently said this will not be his last Open.

Rikand · 13-07-2015 2:48pm

Tiger out with Jason Day and Louis Oosthuizen

I'm out with Patrick Reed and Lee Westwood

Rikand · 13-07-2015 2:49pm

MikeSD wrote: »

Faldo has more recently said this will not be his last Open.

Well of course. He couldnt have his final open by overshadowed by Watson's.

ionadnapokot · 13-07-2015 5:11pm

poteen wrote: »

Tommy Fleetwood....AKA. the slowest player on tour. My God he is painful to watch

Is Fleetwood been tipped because of his Dunhill Links results?

ionadnapokot · 13-07-2015 5:16pm

Looks like early morning starters on Thurs will get the best of the conditions. Good news for Shane Lowry.
http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/forecast/gfn0848v1#?fcTime=1437004800
And Friday afternoon starters also getting the better weather for the day. Also good news for Lowry!

HighLine · 13-07-2015 5:29pm

ionadnapokot wrote: »

Is Fleetwood been tipped because of his Dunhill Links results?

One of the reasons... his combined score for his last 4 rounds at St Andrews was -26! That combined with him showing some good form this year too.

coylemj · 13-07-2015 5:47pm

ionadnapokot wrote: »

Looks like early morning starters on Thurs will get the best of the conditions. Good news for Shane Lowry.
http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/forecast/gfn0848v1#?fcTime=1437004800
And Friday afternoon starters also getting the better weather for the day. Also good news for Lowry!

I wouldn't set much store by a weather forecast for the east coast of Scotland three and four days out - I'd check again on Wednesday before you visit the green shop!

RikkFlair · 13-07-2015 11:38pm

Opens at St.Andrews often seem to produce runaway winners, Faldo, Woods X2, Oosthuizen, hoping for a dramatic finish like Daly/Rocca in 95.

slave1 · 14-07-2015 12:58am

Rikand wrote: »

Well of course. He couldnt have his final open by overshadowed by Watson's.

In fairness, three time champion IIRC and he commented that he would like this to be all about Tom, but yeah I hear ya at the same time...

slave1 · 14-07-2015 12:59am

RikkFlair wrote: »

Opens at St.Andrews often seem to produce runaway winners, Faldo, Woods X2, Oosthuizen, hoping for a dramatic finish like Daly/Rocca in 95.

Thought last weekends Euro and PGA finishes were both excellent, either of those would be great...

ionadnapokot · 14-07-2015 9:56am

HighLine wrote: »

One of the reasons... his combined score for his last 4 rounds at St Andrews was -26! That combined with him showing some good form this year too.

I had also seen Oosthuizen scored exactly the same as Fleetwood in last years AD Links at St.Andrews, R3: 62 R4: 68 (-14). 62 is the course record.
Louis also shot 63 in 2013 and 69 in 2012 at St.Andrews. For a combined -21 for his last 4 rounds at St.Andrews. And it could have been better if he was in the running (Carnoustie and Kingsbarn scores prevented him from playing the 4th rounds at St.Andrews in '13 and '12)
And of course he won the Open in '10 at St.Andrews (-16)

ionadnapokot · 14-07-2015 10:15am

coylemj wrote: »

I wouldn't set much store by a weather forecast for the east coast of Scotland three and four days out - I'd check again on Wednesday before you visit the green shop!

Sage advice! Yea the 'summer' weather coming in from the North Sea to St.Andrews Bay is a different proposition than.. Puget Sound for example.
I wont be going to the Green shop on Lowry anyhows. I think there are better alternatives:)
Weather update: Still looks good for Lowry!

bmay529 · 14-07-2015 10:21am

What are the chances that Jordan Speith winning and take over the world No 1 from Rory? He seems like a nice guy full of confidence. Interesting that he decided to play (and win) the John Deere the week before and not play the Scottish. Rickie will also be full of confidence. Lowry undoubtebly has the ability and I would love to see him do it. It would put him right up there with Harrington, McElroy, McDowell and Clarke...

ionadnapokot · 14-07-2015 11:12am

Mountjoy Mugger wrote: »

Watson - a class act.

I generally dont care too much about Golfers who are not Irish. But i was gutted for Watson in '09. To win the Open at 59 years of age would have been one of the best stories in the history of the game. He handled the defeat so well.
I also thought Cink left Watson standing back at the playoff hole for longer than was required. Either Cink was late or Watson was early. Fair play Tom!

HighLine · 14-07-2015 2:32pm

So Graham DeLaet had his clubs misplaced by AerLingus unfortunately...

https://twitter.com/GrahamDeLaet/status/620469446671474688

They did however locate them today... better late than never you would think...
https://twitter.com/GrahamDeLaet/status/620934566929432576

Or maybe not....
https://twitter.com/GrahamDeLaet/status/620945858293596160

HighLine · 14-07-2015 3:02pm

In fairness, the state of the clubs above had nothing to do with AerLingus, there was a "protein powder explosion" inside the bag apparently.

The_Kew_Tour · 14-07-2015 6:19pm

Can't wait for this week.

This year saw a slight change, but we don't get enough links Golf on Tour IMO.

Hopefully the weather is not too bad. Lowry is the only real realistic Irish challenge. I think he has a major in him, but not this time imo.

joebloggs123 · 14-07-2015 9:35pm

Anyone ever been over to St Andrews for an open? Going this year but not sure what to expect. Hear it's not a great course for viewing.

MYOPIA · 15-07-2015 9:06am

According to YR.NO Friday will be wet and very windy particularly a.m.

Afternoon starters e.g. Oosthuizen [ has to play with TW Circus ], Day, Spieth, Dustin Johnson may get lucky.

However the BBC are predicting rain and 40mph wind gusts for Friday p.m.
So a.m. starters e.g. Fowler,Rose,Casey,Grace would benefit.

Who do we believe , Norwegians or British ?

ForeRight · 15-07-2015 10:02am

There's a video doing the rounds of Paul Dunne on the range with Speith behind him....

What an experience

rocky911 · 15-07-2015 10:07am

Am I deluded thinking Ernie could have a say in the mix if he makes the cut?

CONSI · 15-07-2015 10:10am

As with all Links courses the weather is the only real defence...and where you are out in the draw and when/if weather hits and lose you the competition...if it stays calm then the usual suspects will be in with a chance...if the wind gets up its anyone's tournament...

Rikand · 15-07-2015 11:43am

MYOPIA wrote: »

According to YR.NO Friday will be wet and very windy particularly a.m.

Afternoon starters e.g. Oosthuizen [ has to play with TW Circus ], Day, Spieth, Dustin Johnson may get lucky.

However the BBC are predicting rain and 40mph wind gusts for Friday p.m.
So a.m. starters e.g. Fowler,Rose,Casey,Grace would benefit.

Who do we believe , Norwegians or British ?

I choose to believe the more likely scenario

The whole of Friday is going to be a washout

HighLine · 15-07-2015 12:37pm

MYOPIA wrote: »

According to YR.NO Friday will be wet and very windy particularly a.m.

Afternoon starters e.g. Oosthuizen [ has to play with TW Circus ], Day, Spieth, Dustin Johnson may get lucky.

However the BBC are predicting rain and 40mph wind gusts for Friday p.m.
So a.m. starters e.g. Fowler,Rose,Casey,Grace would benefit.

Who do we believe , Norwegians or British ?

I think YR are definitely off on the winds and to a lesser extent rain. From looking at the charts on Netweather, it looks like

Thursday am: Light winds sub 10mph, no rain
Thursday pm: Winds strengthening to 20+mph with light rain

Friday am: Strong winds up to 30mph at times with heavy rain
Friday pm: Very strong winds with gusts near 40mph towards evening but less rain post lunch

RikkFlair · 15-07-2015 4:05pm

Champions Challenge on now for anyone with BBC

Speak Now · 15-07-2015 4:25pm

HighLine wrote: »

I think YR are definitely off on the winds and to a lesser extent rain. From looking at the charts on Netweather, it looks like

Thursday am: Light winds sub 10mph, no rain
Thursday pm: Winds strengthening to 20+mph with light rain

Friday am: Strong winds up to 30mph at times with heavy rain
Friday pm: Very strong winds with gusts near 40mph towards evening but less rain post lunch

And to make it even better the wind direction is totally different both days

Mint Sauce · 15-07-2015 5:37pm

RikkFlair wrote: »

Champions Challenge on now for anyone with BBC

Just switched on the EPG to see if any preview shows this evening, disappointed I missed this from the start.

HighLine · 15-07-2015 5:44pm

Just seen Justin Rose using a spider putter... wonder will it be in the bag tomorrow?

lostatsea · 15-07-2015 7:00pm

Watched Gary Player's group coming up the eighteenth. I never fully appreciated what a dreadful bore Gary Player is. He was telling the most silly stories followed by loud laughter. The poor pros tried to be as nice as possible by politely listening to the great man. Harrington was screaming to himself to get him out of there.

ItsChecoTime · 15-07-2015 7:50pm

I think Louis Oosthuizen has a really good shot at winning this year. Was by far the best player in Chambers Bay the last 3 days and he has a great course record at St. Andrews. Would be great to see Tom Watson and Paul Dunne go well

coylemj · 15-07-2015 8:26pm

lostatsea wrote: »

Watched Gary Player's group coming up the eighteenth. I never fully appreciated what a dreadful bore Gary Player is. He was telling the most silly stories followed by loud laughter. The poor pros tried to be as nice as possible by politely listening to the great man. Harrington was screaming to himself to get him out of there.

I heard firsthand from someone who was working in the local 5* hotel where the R&A blazers and a lot of the main players were staying during an Open a few years ago. Gary Player and his wife were a notable presence in the hotel because they were forever complaining, sending food back, never happy with anything and basically were a pair of complete assh0les.

HighLine · 15-07-2015 8:35pm

If you do nothing else tonight, watch the video in this link... a reminder of the importance of bowing to the past. Golf tends to do this part very well.

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=13261566

lostatsea · 15-07-2015 8:46pm

HighLine wrote: »

If you do nothing else tonight, watch the video in this link... a reminder of the importance of bowing to the past. Golf tends to do this part very well.

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=13261566

The Golf Channel did a brilliant piece on Kel Nagle who stopped Arnie's Grand Slam bid in 1960 at St Andrew's. I didn't know much about Nagle - he was 39 when he won the Open having taken up the game in his twenties.

Mysterypunter · 15-07-2015 9:30pm

lostatsea wrote: »

The Golf Channel did a brilliant piece on Kel Nagle who stopped Arnie's Grand Slam bid in 1960 at St Andrew's. I didn't know much about Nagle - he was 39 when he won the Open having taken up the game in his twenties.

Watched it.He lived to the age of 94.

Tugboats · 15-07-2015 11:30pm

HighLine wrote: »

I think YR are definitely off on the winds and to a lesser extent rain. From looking at the charts on Netweather, it looks like

Thursday am: Light winds sub 10mph, no rain
Thursday pm: Winds strengthening to 20+mph with light rain

Friday am: Strong winds up to 30mph at times with heavy rain
Friday pm: Very strong winds with gusts near 40mph towards evening but less rain post lunch

Has Ian Poulter complained yet?

spacecoyote · 16-07-2015 7:00am

Few tricky looking pins today, especially 17

Dolph Starbeam · 16-07-2015 7:05am

Birdie for Dunne on the first.

ForeRight · 16-07-2015 7:10am

Blow it up ref. He's bordied the second and is too of the leaderboard!!!

josey_whale · 16-07-2015 7:12am

YayaBanana wrote: »

Birdie for Dunne on the first.

And the second.... a good start

PARlance · 16-07-2015 7:15am

There wont be a Merc washed in Greystones this weekend at this rate

Dream start

Mushy · 16-07-2015 7:50am

Hope he keeps up the form. Forgot to put a bet for him as top amateur

Dolph Starbeam · 16-07-2015 8:08am

Another birdie for Dunne, -3 now.

Lowry starts with a bogey.

Speak Now · 16-07-2015 8:45am

Lowry got greedy on the first, went for the front pin and ended up in The Swilcan Burn. Tom Watson in it also.

Kevinmarkham · 16-07-2015 8:48am

PARlance wrote: »

There wont be a Merc washed in Greystones this weekend at this rate

Dream start

If anyone's on Twitter, Brian Keogh is following Paul Dunne (at the moment):
https://twitter.com/IrishGolfDesk

Dunne moves to -4

Rikand · 16-07-2015 9:04am

I was going to...... but it's the first time in 10 years I said I'd give the turf accountants a skip. Always the feckin way!

Come on Paul Dunne!

The Open 2015 - St Andrews - July 16th-19th *mod warning #201*

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The Open 2015 - St Andrews - July 16th-19th mod warning #201