The 150th Open (*** NO LIV DISCUSSIONS/REFERENCES ***)

[PlatinumNike]

[grm24]

TOC is already super fast and firm. At this point the weather seems really good (dry) for the rest of the week. Should be interesting.

 

https://quadrilateral.substack.com/p/a-fast-and-fiery-old-course-on-tap#§crispy-already

 

[TiScape]

On 7/6/2022 at 1:46 AM, MattyO1984 said:

The 150th Open is nearly upon us. I am there Friday of the Championship but also Sunday and Monday for the practice rounds so with the practice rounds in particular in mind, I will not be able to do my usual and start the thread for the Championship on the Sunday evening/Monday morning so I figured it made sense to get a proper thread up and running now.

 

As the R&A has been telling us with the marketing for the Championship, everything has lead to this. From humble beginnings in 1860, as the golfing world and 8 competitors set about identifying a successor to the late Alan Robertson, The Open has persisted (with occasional fallow years due to World War, global pandemic or for the want of a prize to be awarded at the end thanks to Young Tom Morris) and now is one of three, if not the, premier event in the sport. Since Willie Park Snr claimed the first championship on a cold October day in Prestwick, The Open has been there as Golf grew from a game played in Scotland and the rest of the British Isles to a game with its arms wrapped around the entire globe. Anyone who was anyone in the world of Golf has played and competed for the title of Champion Golfer of the Year. Whilst early events were understandably dominated by the Scots, as the game grew so did The Open with winners from England, then France, America, South Africa, Australia, Argentina, Spain, Zimbabwe, Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland and Italy eventually adding their names to the famous Claret Jug. Whilst there are other major championships in the game, The Open is the only one which can state that everyone who was ever someone in the competitive game has competed. Any Open is special, any Open at St Andrews is extra special but 150th Open and it being played at St Andrews is about as special as it can get. 

 

Willie Park Snr- The First Open Champion

 

 

Turning to the Championship this year, the world's best will tee it up around the grand old lady of The Old Course at St Andrews. This will be the 30th time that The Old Course has staged The Open. Before and during the event, there will invariably be questions as to whether The Old Course is a stern enough test for the world's best and the distances that they hit it. Without doubt, many of those concerns are legitimate but for now, let's remember the course as with most links courses needs the wind to allow it to play in the way that it should and with the exception of Saturday in 2015 when the wind was so strong that play required to be suspended for most of the day, St Andrews Opens have largely been benign weeks stretching back to the 90's. Even without a windy few days in the Eden Estuary we are in for a real treat over the next few days.

 

Collin Morikawa heads to Fife with the Claret Jug in his possession having become the first debutant since Ben Curtis in 2003 to win. Morikawa's play seems to be an awful lot patchier this year that it was in 2020 and 2021 but he will have high hopes of following the lead of Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson, Peter Thomson and Tiger Woods amongst others in becoming the Champion Golfer of the Year in successive years. The field is however wide open and the likes of recent major winners such as Justin Thomas and Scottie Scheffler who have both proven themselves as being extremely adept in the wind will head into the event with expectation as well as hope for what may be. Rory McIlroy has a strong record around The Old Course and a recent win in Canada to bolster his confidence and Jordan Spieth having come so close the last time we were at St Andrews in 2015 will also fancy his chances. Then there is Tiger! His entire summer appears to have been based around being able to tee it up at St Andrews. Whilst there are massive doubts as to his fitness and his ability to compete for 72 holes, there is no doubting his love for The Old Course and with a golfing brain above and beyond anyone in the game, it would take a brave man to say that he had no chance and if he somehow managed to overcome all of the odds (again) he would become the oldest Open champion in history. Whatever comes, we should be treated to a spectacle of golf all coming to an end in the grandest theatre in the game - the 18th hole at St Andrews.

 

Bring it on!!

 

Defending Champion:-

Collin Morikawa

 

Notables in the Field:-

Tiger Woods (2000, 2005 and 2006 Champion)

Scottie Scheffler

Rory McIlroy (2014 Champion)

Jon Rahm

Justin Thomas 

Cameron Smith

Patrick Cantlay

Viktor Hovland

Sam Burns

Matt Fiztpatrick

Xander Schauffele

Jordan Spieth (2017 Champion)

Will Zalatoris

Hideki Matsuyama

Billy Horschel

Max Homa

Shane Lowry (2019 Champion)

Francesco Molinari (2018 Champion)

Henrik Stenson (2016 Champion)

Zach Johnson (2015 Champion)

Course:-

The Old Course, St Andrews

Par 72

7,297 Yards

 

Collin Morikawa - Defending Champion

 

The 1st and 18th - Old Course, St Andrews during the Open...the greatest setting in Golf

 

Facts & Figures

Previous Winners:-

6 Wins - Harry Vardon

5 Wins - Tom Watson

5 Wins - JH Taylor

5 Wins - James Braid

5 Wins - Peter Thomson

4 Wins - Old Tom Morris

4 Wins - Young Tom Morris

4 Wins - Willie Park Snr

4 Wins - Walter Hagen

4 Wins - Bobby Locke

3 Wins - Jamie Anderson

3 Wins - Bob Ferguson 

3 Wins - Bobby Jones

3 Wins - Henry Cotton

3 Wins - Gary Player

3 Wins - Jack Nicklaus

3 Wins - Seve Ballesteros

3 Wins - Nick Faldo

3 Wins - Tiger Woods

 

Oldest Winner: Old Tom Morris - 46 Years and 102 days

Youngest Winner: Young Tom Morris - 17 Years and 156 days

Largest Margin of Victory: Tom Morris Snr - 13 Strokes - 1862

Lowest 72 Hole Total: Henrik Stenson - 264 (-20) 2016

Lowest Round: 62 - Branden Grace - 2017

Lowest Round to Par: -9 Paul Broadhurst (1990) and Rory McIlory (2010)

Most Consecutive Wins: 4 - Young Tom Morris

Most Runner Up Finishes: 7 - Jack Nicklaus

 

Prize Money

1860: Nothing

1863: £10 (shared equally amongst all competitors)

1864: £15 (£6 to the winner)

1893: £100

1931: £500 (£100 to the winner)

1946: £1,000 

1965: £10,000 (£1,750 to the winner)

1977: £100,000 (£10,000 to the winner)

1993: £1,000,000 (£100,000 to the winner)

2011: £5,000,000 (£900,000 to the winner)

2017: $10,750,000 (first year that prize money was stated in dollars)

2021: $11,500,000 ($2,070,000 to the winner)

2022: $14,000,000 ($2,500,000 to the winner)

 

Old & Young Tom Morris - 8 Open Championship (4 each) between them

 

Zach Johnson - the last winner of an Open at St Andrews

 

The King waves goodbye to The Open in 1995

 

Jack Nicklaus - 1978 at St Andrews

 

Seve - 1984 Open at St Andrews

 

Tiger sealed the Career Grand Slam at St Andrews in 2000

So the two threads got merged and Matty’s post got buried in the middle

of the 3rd page???

[i*windows]

19 minutes ago, BIG STU said:

I am having mixed feelings on it. Saw on GC last night where he did walk 18 in a practice round yesterday. He looked ok and pain free. But I know there is a difference between 18 and 72 holes. With his game being somewhat rusty I am thinking it will be one thing to make the cut and then playing the other 36.

I can see him retiring, he looked like he was having difficulty walking and moving freely. I would love to see him continue, but he looks wrecked.

[BIG STU]

On 7/9/2022 at 4:58 PM, Duct Tape said:

Ever played Shinnecock or Merion?  Or even Pinehurst 2, it took me four rounds there before I even began to understand where drives and approaches should be. And the bad places to avoid. 
 

 

Never have played to Shinnecock or Merion but have played Pinehurst #2 a few times. In the case of #2 it is all about understanding Ross courses. I grew up on Ross courses and Ross copy courses so I understand them. And for some strange reason in my latter years I have learned to understand Dye courses. I know the difference between night and day

[BIG STU]

2 minutes ago, i*windows said:

I can see him retiring, he looked like he was having difficulty walking and moving freely. I would love to see him continue, but he looks wrecked.

I agree it is in the back of my mind. And I can say this from personal current experience-- I hate to see anyone in agony and pain. I know all to well the mind screams go go go and says you got this but the body screams no no no we aint going. When I saw clips on him yesterday the ones I saw he looked ok. IMHO it will be a miracle if he can hold up physically and make the cut. 

[BIG STU]

12 hours ago, aenemated said:

 

Forecasting the weather in Scotland must be a fun gig. You can just make up anything for any given day and it'll probably be right at some point. 😂

It is like that here--- A favorite saying here---- Don't like the weather right now? Thats ok it will change in 15 minutes

[Pastit]

20 minutes ago, i*windows said:

I can see him retiring, he looked like he was having difficulty walking and moving freely. I would love to see him continue, but he looks wrecked.

Walking on hard- baked links turf is a severe test for anyone with feet and leg muscle probs e.g 1976 drought year over here crippled me. I’d to get dispensation from my club to wear trainers. Hopefully Tigger has the best of footwear. I’d let him have a buggy considering what he’s done for the game.  

[TiScape]

1 hour ago, TiScape said:

So the two threads got merged and Matty’s post got buried in the middle

of the 3rd page???

I’m confused by what ur confused by here @BIG STU???

[BIG STU]

1 hour ago, TiScape said:

I’m confused by what ur confused by here @BIG STU???

Ha Ha not really being confused just being tongue in cheek about the merged threads--- Carry On all is good in the Neighborhood

 

[The Aspidistra in the Hall]

17 hours ago, bscinstnct said:

 

Friday looks like could get fun

 

https://www.accuweather.com/en/gb/st-andrews/ky16-8/daily-weather-forecast/323157

 

 

 

 

 

Accuweather doesn't have the reputation in the UK that it enjoys on it's home turf. Better to use our Met Office.

[KennyP]

Champions challenge no longer just for Open champions? 

 

Strange but symptomatic of today's ideals. 

[Valtiel]

4 hours ago, PlatinumNike said:

[i*windows]

the only reliable weather in the UK 

St. Andrews (Fife) weather - Met Office

[Danielson]

I couldn't possibly be more excited for this. Will be watching every minute of Tiger coverage for sure. As much as nobody wants this to be it, this could be his last Open.

[Duct Tape]

2 hours ago, The Aspidistra in the Hall said:

Accuweather doesn't have the reputation in the UK that it enjoys on it's home turf. Better to use our Met Office.

Just give me some wind, as least two of the four days!  Moisture would be a bonus. 
 

Edited July 11, 2022 by Duct Tape

[Duct Tape]

Saying for the record that, despite this thread merge, I consider @MattyO1984 the OP of this thread. Everyone else is just a pretender. 🤓🏌🏼‍♀️🏌🏼‍♀️🏌🏼‍♀️

[i*windows]

the R&A are putting out some cool content on their youtube channel

 

[bscinstnct]

TW out there in the morning workin, that’s good!

 

 

 

 

 

 

[scott_Donald]

I am just having a quick 30 minute chill break in my apartment in St Andrews, been an amazing day so far.

 

Just need to position myself well for tiger now later!

[CasualLie]

Just got back from continuing one of my traditions of playing golf on the 4th of July in UK!  Played some fantastic courses, did a lot of driving.  And overall the weather was superb.  Some windy days, expected, but thrilled I could pack light and only needed a driving iron to score well.

 

The one thing that I shook my head "no" at in every shop when checking out the range was this abomination of a logo:

 

 

Might look ok on a flag, but on clothing it is pretty bad, unless it is a small version on a sleeve.  Some junior graphic designer really took the p*ss on that one.  When you just stitch that logo in white on clothing, the doodling really shows!  Ridiculous.  Oh well, saved me a lot of money, which is fine given I spent a fortune restocking at Loch Lomond before I drop the membership 😉

 

Still, looking forward to a great tournament at the Old Course.  Oh sure -16 or better is probably the winner, but I do not see anyone running away with it.  Sunday is going to be phenomenal.  

 

 

[khalespace]

For the US, how do you watch on Thursday and Friday without cable? I don't have Peacock. Is it free?

 

Thursday, July 14
1:30-4 a.m., Peacock (streaming)
4 a.m.-3 p.m., USA Network
3-4 p.m., Peacock (streaming)

Friday, July 15
1:30-4 a.m., Peacock (streaming)
4 a.m.-3 p.m., USA Network
3-4 p.m., Peacock (streaming)

Saturday, July 16
5-7 a.m., USA Network
7 a.m.-3 p.m., NBC (streaming on Peacock)

Sunday, July 17
4-7 a.m., USA Network
7 a.m.-2 p.m., NBC (streaming on Peacock)

[lefty1978]

6 minutes ago, khalespace said:

For the US, how do you watch on Thursday and Friday without cable? I don't have Peacock. Is it free?

Peacock is $5 per month. Also you can do a free 7 day trial with YouTube tv and get USA.

Edited July 11, 2022 by lefty1978

[gvogel]

2 hours ago, i*windows said:

the only reliable weather in the UK 

St. Andrews (Fife) weather - Met Office

I use a windsurfing site that I believe uses the European model.  They have on site wind and forecasts for Leuchars, site of an old RAF airbase across the bay from the 12th tee.

 

As of this morning, wind predictions for Thursday and Friday are benign; windy Saturday afternoon, and an OK breeze Sunday.  We'll see how that shakes out.

[CasualLie]

Bravo to Callaway for this....these are awesome bags and a great story.  I would be all over the auction if I was there:

 

https://www.golfmonthly.com/news/why-callaway-has-let-children-design-its-2022-open-championship-tour-bags

 

[So_Cal]

22 minutes ago, CasualLie said:

Just got back from continuing one of my traditions of playing golf on the 4th of July in UK!  Played some fantastic courses, did a lot of driving.  And overall the weather was superb.  Some windy days, expected, but thrilled I could pack light and only needed a driving iron to score well.

 

The one thing that I shook my head "no" at in every shop when checking out the range was this abomination of a logo:

 

 

Might look ok on a flag, but on clothing it is pretty bad, unless it is a small version on a sleeve.  Some junior graphic designer really took the p*ss on that one.  When you just stitch that logo in white on clothing, the doodling really shows!  Ridiculous.  Oh well, saved me a lot of money, which is fine given I spent a fortune restocking at Loch Lomond before I drop the membership 😉

 

Still, looking forward to a great tournament at the Old Course.  Oh sure -16 or better is probably the winner, but I do not see anyone running away with it.  Sunday is going to be phenomenal.  

 

 

It’s funny you say that because I was just thinking how cool that logo is.  It looks good on the Open website.  I’m sure on clothing it can be garish though.  😮

[jonsnow]

19 hours ago, Shilgy said:

Old Course 2015 Open……Saturday became a test of how many layers you brought with you that day. My wife got most of ours! 🤣 

 

What a cool picture! What's up with all the inflatable mattresses?

 

EDIT: Never mind, didn't read far enough before posting.

Edited July 11, 2022 by jonsnow

[caniac6]

I would love to see one of the past champions playing in the 4 hole exhibition play with persimmons and the old irons they won with.

[betarhoalphadelta]

19 hours ago, Shilgy said:

Old Course 2015 Open……Saturday became a test of how many layers you brought with you that day. My wife got most of ours! 🤣 

 

 

What's on the board behind her? Rory got suspended that year because he looks really high? 

[Frankensteins Monster]

Sraga is thicc!